The German Jordanian University (GJU) participated in the specialized workshop, "Reflective Dialogue (Tafakkur) for Learning Based on Urgent Everyday Needs: Theoretical Framework and Practical Applications," organized by DVV International over three days at the Holiday Inn Dead Sea. The workshop brought together Tafakkur Ambassadors—volunteers from local communities working with the organization's partner institutions—as well as representatives from the university.
Representing GJU were Dr. Rafah Al-Tarawneh and Ms. Samar Samara from the Consultation and Training Center, alongside Dr. Tamara Al-Rawad and Dr. Nada Eltaiba from the Department of Social Work at the School of Humanities and Applied Languages. Their participation aimed to strengthen academic and institutional cooperation with DVV International and to explore future partnership opportunities in the fields of adult education and community development.
The workshop addressed a range of theoretical and practical topics, including an introduction to popular education and its relationship to development, its guiding principles, the pedagogy of questioning and texts, and different types of learning texts. Participants also discussed the concepts of oppression, marginalization, and the culture of silence as fundamental themes in community engagement and transformative education.
The sessions further focused on the Tafakkur approach as a participatory learning methodology based on dialogue, reflection, and inquiry. The approach connects learning with the realities of everyday life, fostering critical awareness, encouraging community participation, and supporting lifelong learning initiatives.
The workshop concluded with discussions on knowledge localization and contextualization, as well as the development of a future vision for the role of Tafakkur Ambassadors in advancing community learning initiatives and promoting sustainable development.
GJU's participation in this workshop reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening its engagement in national and international initiatives and expanding its partnerships with leading German institutions. These efforts contribute to the advancement of education, training, and community service, in line with the university's mission of promoting lifelong learning and sustainable development.