Community Awareness (6.5.7)

Outreach programs encouraging conscious water use in the wider community.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) is committed to extending its sustainability mission beyond campus boundaries by fostering community-wide awareness of responsible water use and the importance of conservation for future generations. Through structured community engagement, educational outreach programs, and collaborative local partnerships, AAU promotes sustainable water practices among schools, households, municipalities, and civil society organizations.

The university’s community awareness initiatives operate within a formally approved governance framework that institutionalizes outreach, ensures consistent delivery, and enables ongoing evaluation of impact. These policies and procedures guide the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all community-focused awareness activities:

Through this governance-driven system, AAU ensures that its community awareness efforts are structured, recurring, and aligned with national sustainability priorities. These initiatives directly advance SDG 6.4 (Water-Use Efficiency), SDG 12.8 (Promote Awareness for Sustainable Development), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), while reinforcing SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development) by strengthening public understanding of sustainable water management and environmental stewardship.

Centers and Departments:

January
01

1. Sustainability and International Ranking Center – Leadership and Coordination

Leads community outreach initiatives, develops awareness campaigns, and ensures proper documentation and SDG alignment.
Acts as the main institutional driver of AAU’s sustainability outreach strategy.

January
01

2. Marketing and Communications Unit – Awareness Dissemination

Promotes water awareness messages through social media, radio, and local press, ensuring broad visibility of AAU’s sustainability initiatives.
Bridges academic engagement with public communication.

January
01

3. Women’s Health Center and Medical Services Department – Health-Oriented Awareness

Deliver outreach programs highlighting the link between safe water use, sanitation, and public health.
Integrates water awareness with community health education.

January
01

4. Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research – Scientific Support and Research Translation

Provides evidence-based educational materials and demonstrations on sustainable water technologies and practices.
Connects academic research with real-life community education.

Activities:

January
01

1. Water Awareness for Every Home” Campaign

Organized by the Sustainability Center and Community Service Center, this campaign delivered awareness workshops to local families and schools about responsible household water use and leak prevention.
This initiative improved water literacy and encouraged practical behavioral change.

January
01

2. AAU Launches Sustainable Fishing Practices Awareness Campaign

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) launched a public awareness campaign on sustainable fishing practices to promote conscious and responsible water use within coastal and inland communities.
The campaign, organized by the Sustainability and International Ranking Center in collaboration with marine NGOs and local authorities, educated fishermen, students, and community members on topics such as water ecosystem balance, pollution prevention, and resource conservation.
Interactive sessions and educational materials highlighted the long-term benefits of sustainable fishing and the importance of protecting aquatic biodiversity.
The initiative is part of AAU’s [Water Management Education and Awareness Policy] and [Community Water Management Education Procedure], designed to extend sustainability education beyond the university.
Through this campaign, AAU strengthened community engagement, reduced harmful fishing behaviors, and contributed to achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

January
01

3. School-Based Awareness Program – “Young Water Ambassadors”

AAU students and staff visited schools to educate young learners about the importance of clean water and sustainable use, in alignment with the Community Water Management Education Procedure.
This inspired youth participation and built future sustainability advocates.

January
01

4. Health and Water Safety Workshops for Local Communities

The Women’s Health Center and Medical Services Department conducted public workshops linking safe water handling with hygiene and disease prevention.
This initiative reinforced health awareness as part of water sustainability.

January
01

5. Joint Awareness Week with Local Municipalities

In coordination with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, AAU launched a joint awareness week involving public lectures, exhibitions, and community campaigns on national water security.
This strengthened governmental collaboration and nationwide public engagement.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

A . Performance Evaluation

Community reach: Over 5,000 participants across schools, families, and public events (2023–2025).
Workshops delivered: 25 awareness sessions conducted in local communities.
Behavioral impact: Surveys show 82% of participants adopted new water-saving behaviors.
Student involvement: >300 student volunteers engaged as awareness ambassadors.
Public visibility: 15+ awareness articles and media reports published nationally.

B. Development Actions

Action 1: Develop a National Water Awareness Network connecting universities and municipalities.

Action 2: Launch a Mobile Education Unit to deliver water awareness programs in remote areas.

Action 3: Integrate AI-driven public engagement tools (SMS reminders and digital pledge platforms).

Action 4: Produce a Community Water Awareness Handbook in Arabic for distribution nationwide.

Action 5: Collaborate with Ministry of Education to embed water awareness modules in school curricula.

C. Benchmarking & Best Practice

Adopted Practice:
Aligned with UNESCO’s “Education for Sustainable Water Management” Framework and Jordan’s National Water Awareness Strategy (2023–2040).

Local Adaptation:
AAU translates global frameworks into Arabic-language programs tailored to Jordanian social and environmental contexts, focusing on rural outreach and community participation.

Future Benchmark Goal (by 2028):

- Reach 15,000 beneficiaries through national water awareness programs.
- Conduct at least 40 workshops and campaigns across Jordan.
- Develop permanent partnerships with 10 schools and 5 municipalities for recurring education.

Institutional Integration Summary

Community awareness at AAU reflects a whole-of-university approach to sustainability education, connecting policy, community outreach, and academic engagement.
The Sustainability and International Ranking Center provides leadership; the Community Service Center implements programs; and the Women’s Health Center, PDRC, and Hourani Research Center provide scientific and health expertise.

This integrated system ensures that AAU’s influence extends far beyond its campus, fostering a water-conscious culture at the community and national level.
Through consistent awareness, partnerships, and measurable outcomes, AAU demonstrates tangible progress in SDG 6.4 (Water-Use Efficiency), SDG 12.8 (Sustainability Awareness), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).