Jordan is a progressive Arab country with a democratic government led by a king. It faces issues regarding women's rights, genetic screening technologies, religious differences, and the persecution of Syrian refugees. Women have made gains but still face legal restrictions from men. Genetic screening raises ethical debates. Religion has historically caused conflicts, so visitors should respect local customs. Jordan hosts over 1 million Iraqi and Palestinian refugees but language barriers are low due to most speaking Arabic. The document outlines these topics in Jordan and encourages mutual understanding between its people and visitors like those from the United States.

1. The Country
Jordan
Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are
more essential than ever in a world where peoples are
becoming more and more closely interconnected.
-Kofi Annan-

2. Issues of Today
Jordan is known as one of
the most progressive states
with in the Arab countries,
that being said they have
established a government
that has built a relationship
with the west, strengthening
their alliances. After Jordan
had gained their
independence from Great
Britain the country was
under a democratic type of
government. Since then the
King of Jordan has again
influenced tradition that
places a King at the head of
the government.
• Women's rights
• PGD (Preimplantation
Genetic Diagnosis)
• Religion
• Syrian refugee persecution

3. Women's Rights
• It is interesting to note that 20% of the positions within municipal
councils are reserved for women. With this change the women have
received greater respect for the roles that they are playing in society.
• The indicators for women’s education and health show notable
improvements. However, women’s participation in the formal labor
market is low.
• Moreover, women are still not equal to men before the law. There have
been several reforms of the Personal Status Law (the latest reform
took place in 2010).
• Despite some progressive amendments such as increasing the legal
age of marriage to 18, women’s agency continues to be limited by
provisions of male legal guardianship (wilaya) over women in the
Jordanian Personal Status Law.

4. PGD
• Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure that can be done
during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), involving genetic and chromosomal screening
of fertilized embryos prior to implantation into a woman’s uterus. After PGD, only
the embryos possessing the desired characteristics are implanted, while the
other embryos are frozen for future use, or discarded.
• PGD is used for family balancing (gender selection for balancing the gender
dynamic within a family), gender selection to screen out sex-linked diseases, or
a broader genetic screening for diseases known to be present in the patient’s
family history.
• Many ethical questions have been raised about PGD, especially in its use for
family balancing.
• The root of ethical views may be linked to culture, religion, or social tradition. It
is the goal of this research to understand the ethical views of Jordanian medical
professionals involved in PGD regarding the practice through in-depth
interviews, and to explore the opinions of the general public regarding PGD in
order to gain a broader understanding of Jordanian ethical perceptions behind
PGD.

5. Religion
• We can read through the bible and other history books for
the past 4000 years of the difficulties of wars and contention
from the neighboring nations.
• Religion has in some way or another been the cause for
various up rivals and battles that have killed many people
throughout the centuries.
• The best thing I think that a person can do if they are to visit
is to respect the traditions and customs of the people, and
take in to account the delicate history of wars because of
different beliefs. Giving understanding for what the people
of Jordan have been through for many years of history and
giving kindness towards the people with compassion will
build a relationship that can with hope be maintained.

6. Syrian Refugee
Persecution
• The country is home to over a million refugees from
Iraq and Palestine nations.
• With the immigration of refugees from these countries
the persecution and abuse is high, even to cause
some of the people to return to their native country to
face original persecution and abuse from where they
had once fled.
• The language barrier of those that have taken refuge
in Jordan is minimal with the respect that the majority
of the people speak Arabic known had the primary
language.

7. Visiting Jordan
I have been given the chance to
visit Jordan and with this
opportunity I hope to gain a
better understanding of the
country.
I will be representing the United
States, which can be a big
responsibility. My conduct can
have a direct influence on the
Jordanian’s view of the United
States.
My goal is to leave with a mutual
respect and understanding to
increase our personal views
towards one another.