Jordan’s Queen Rania Al Abdullah has the poise of royalty, the mind of a policy wonk and the aura of “a regular person,” as she often describes herself.
Last week, Queen Rania came to Silicon Valley to receive the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award at the Tech Museum Awards ceremony at the Santa Clara Convention Center for her work as an advocate for human rights and education. She posed for pictures with sponsors of the event and social entrepreneurs and organizations from around the globe that were honored for their efforts to use technology to improve the lives of the poor. And she stuck around for the entire program, something many people of her stature and security concerns would not always do.
Queen Rania is an advocate for the rights of women and children, a board member of the World Economic Forum and regularly posts videos on YouTube to promote a moderate image of people in the Middle East.
Before receiving her award, Queen Rania spoke with the Mercury News. Here is an edited version of the conversation.
Q Silicon Valley is a region obsessed on the latest shiny gadget or new chips. The annual Tech Awards honor a different kind of innovation.
A I think this evening is all about highlighting how technology can make a huge difference in the lives of people in the most desperate and impoverished areas. It isn’t just about making business easier or communications easier. It’s all about combining innovation and compassion. That’s what makes this event very important and different. It humanizes technology.
In education, technology can be a life-changer, a game changer, for kids who are both in school and out of school. Technology can bring textbooks to life. The Internet can connect students to their peers in other parts of the world. It can bridge the quality gaps. For kids who are unable to go to school because they live in remote areas or because of conflict, technology can help bring the classroom to their homes. So, through technology, they can pursue their education where teachers aren’t available. So it can really be a game-changer.
Q Many successful Silicon Valley tech titans have long supported the notion of social entrepreneurs, people who use for-profit entities to make the world a better place. What role do you see for them in the world?
A You need to look at it as more than just a trend but a way to do business in the future. It’s a more holistic approach. It’s not a zero-sum game. You can make money, make a profit and at the same time, benefit your environment and your stakeholders. That’s the way to move forward.
Q You have promoted a moderate image of the Middle East. You regularly post videos on YouTube. Do you think you are succeeding in the United States? What do you think about the controversy surrounding the plans to build an Islamic center near ground zero in New York City?
A I think we still have some ways to go to bridge the gaps and to really reach out to each other. There has been a lot of mistrust and suspicion and fear on both sides. I think that is a result of great misunderstandings and lack of effort on both sides to reach out and focus on the commonalities between us. And to really see the extremists for what they really are — extremists, who are the minority, on the fringe, on both sides. And it’s the moderates on both sides who need to form a majority that becomes more vocal. So me, by myself, I am not going to be able to cause a dent. I am doing what I can. But I really do hope that, slowly, more people can reach out and overcome these obstacles.
Q How would you describe the popularity and image of President Obama and the United States in the Middle East now?
A You know, when he first took office, there were very high expectations. First and foremost, people were very optimistic that he would be instrumental in trying to solve the Middle East issue. His Cairo speech was inspiring to all in the Middle East. People were quite euphoric, actually. Unfortunately, the last round of Middle East peace talks have not given the results people were hoping for. So I think his popularity — how he is viewed — is very much contingent on progress in the Middle East peace process. So the more progress we see there, the more positively predisposed people (will be toward the United States).
Q In Jordan, do you have an emerging Silicon Valley?
A We have a lot of tech industries coming out. We are seeing a lot of innovation. We have a company, Maktoob, that was sold to Yahoo last year (for a reported $85 million). Many people have been inspired in that regard. It seems to be something that is taking root and really growing. We always say Jordan is not rich in natural resources — we don’t have oil or gas like some of our neighbors do — but I think in terms of human resources, we are quite lucky and we are really trying to foster an environment of innovation and technology. I think Jordan will emerge as a center of innovation in the Middle East.
Contact John Boudreau at 408-278-3496.
Queen Rania
Al Abdullah of Jordan
Born: Aug. 31, 1970 in Kuwait to Palestinian parents from Tulkarm.
Education: Attended New English School in Jabriya, Kuwait, then earned a degree in business administration from the American University in Cairo.
Professional career: Worked for Citibank and Apple in Amman.
Accomplishments: World-renowned advocate for human rights and education. In 1995, she launched the Jordan River Foundation to protect the rights of children and women. She also founded the Jordan River Children Program to promote the welfare of children.
Family: Married to King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein of Jordan. They have four children: Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma and Prince Hashem.
things about Queen Rania
Al Abdullah of Jordan
1. Has a Twitter following of 1.4 million @queenrania.
2. Once worked for Apple in Amman, Jordan.
3. Is a best-selling children’s author whose book, “The Sandwich Swap,” is a story about two young girls who learn the value of diversity by exchanging food at school.
4. Likes to bake chocolate chip cookies.
5. Met Jordanian King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein, then a prince, at a dinner party in January 1993. They announced their engagement two months later.
