Author: Heather Wheeler MP

The UK is a world leader in soft power. We hold significant positions of influence on key global forums such as the UN Security Council, the G7 and the G20. But there is more to our reach than the headline grabbing roles. Our work and our support can be found in projects around the world. 

I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Jordan to see the work that projects backed by the UK and other donors  can do, working alongside local partners. Jordan is a country of relative stability in a region that has been rocked by conflict. It hosts one of the world’s largest refugee camps, Za’atari, which at its peak was home to over 100,000 refugees who were all fleeing the crisis in Syria. Whilst in Jordan, I saw the UK’s generosity for myself. I saw girls being educated and empowered. I witnessed children being taught about mental health and wellbeing through sport. And I learned about programmes aimed at helping skilled workers apply for visas to gain employment around the world depending on their skillset. 

One strand of work that was particularly striking to me were the projects aimed at reducing child labour within refugee communities through the empowerment of women and girls. Save the Children Jordan and UNFPA have been running incredible projects such as the “Leading the Way To Change” initiative. These programmes work to keep adolescent girls out of child marriage and labour by empowering them to build their economic, health and social skills and understanding. 

Another incredible project I saw was “Coaching for Life” which has been running in Za’atari for over five years. The project was co-created by Save the Children and The Arsenal Foundation – part of Arsenal Football Club – and provides safe spaces for boys and girls to play football and improve their mental health and wellbeing. It also works to breakdown stereotypes and norms linked to gender and increase knowledge on girls’ rights. Coaching for Life has supported more than 3,000 Syrian refugee children so far.

The crisis in Syria may no longer be on our tv screens or in the papers but it is still very much alive. It's important for the UK to not only support emerging crises and humanitarian situations but must continue to support others around the world. If we can help to empower communities abroad and help to build lasting structures then this only helps to improve our own stability and security at home. 

This article was first published in The Times.