Arab Open University – Jordan Hosts International Conference on the Impact of Language in Public Discourse
The Arab Open University in Jordan recently hosted a successful international conference titled “The Impact of Language Used in Public Discourse on Values, Attitudes, and Social Aspirations,” held over two days, April 26–27.
The conference was inaugurated by Professor Dr. Tahrir Hamdi, Director of the University in Jordan, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of language in shaping cultural and social narratives across diverse societies.
The event brought together a distinguished group of academics from various educational institutions. Participants from The Open University in the United Kingdom included Professor Dr. Suman Gupta, Professor Dr. David Johnson, and Dr. Philip Seargeant. Additional contributions came from Dr. Lindsey Moore of Lancaster University, Professor Dr. Johannes Lehmann of the University of Bonn in Germany, and Dr. Milena Katsarska of Plovdiv University in Bulgaria.
The host university in Jordan was notably represented by Professor Dr. Tahrir Hamdi, Dr. Raeda Al-Tartouri, Dr. Naeema Al-Hasban, Dr. Ola Kattaneh, Dr. Ahmad Abdelqader Ali, and Dr. Odai Maaytah. From AOU Lebanon, Professor Dr. Haya Al-Khatib participated, and from AOU Saudi Arabia, Dr. Sameh Jalil contributed.
The presentations and discussions explored the role of powerful linguistic expressions in shaping collective memory, cultural identity, and social dynamics, with examples drawn from the Arab world and beyond. The sessions focused on how language in public discourse influences values, attitudes, and societal aspirations.
The conference was well-received by attendees, who praised the academic richness and interdisciplinary dialogue. Participants agreed that the event opened new avenues for collaborative research and strengthened ties among the involved institutions.
The conference was deemed a remarkable success—not only in terms of the quality of participation but also in fostering academic exchange on the intricate relationship between language, culture, and society.
The Arab Open University – Jordan looks forward to sustaining this momentum and enhancing its role as a leading hub for impactful academic dialogue both regionally and internationally.
