Jordan seeks to revitalize corporate social responsibility (CSR) under a national umbrella body, the National Forum for Social Responsibility, which was recently formed. Set to coordinate the sector and spearheaded by Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Centre, the forum promotes charitable acts and encourages firms and other institutions to give back to the local community.

According to reports, the forum is meant to coordinate institutions and organizations in their philanthropic endeavours. Deputy director of Al Urdun Al Jadid, May Taher, was reported to have said that many business' CSR activities are concentrated in a few select areas and sectors, or in one particular time of year, such as Ramadan.

To address such shortcomings, the forum will aid organizations in identifying regions and social groups that are in need and to encourage year-round philanthropic activity, rather than one-off or ad hoc givings. The forum is also set to publish annual reports on the CSR sector in Jordan, in addition to newsletters to raise social responsibility awareness.

The forum will also offer training to aid companies in establishing their CSR policies or departments, in addition to consultancy on ongoing projects and initiatives. It is reported that some 50 members from the public, private and civil society sectors are founding members of the forum, while the body’s steering committee consists of 20 individual and organisational members.