Activities & Publications

1.  Annual ANDD Meeting:  The network will organize an annual meeting to bring together scholars and UN professionals, discuss and encourage new themes/directions and ideas in analyzing regional organizations and policy issues, and underlining gaps in SDGs' achievement strategies in the region. It shall follow the ACUNS' global annual workshop modality. It is an opportunity that provides members and interested parties with a unique opportunity to discuss UN- and global governance related to sustainable development (SD) as a wicked problem.

   It will stimulate advanced research and teaching on selected themes and subjects based on regional challenges and the UN system's regional programs and produce research articles published in international journals.

2. ANDD discussion paper series: “Opening the lid” series: an annual call for open the lid series papers to students from member universities and young UN staff members on a priority development issue to the region The series aims to encourage structured dialogue over “wicked” problems in the region The series is meant to be provocative and jump-start a conversation over ‘structural” challenges and opportunities that the region has beyond those easily identifiable through sectoral and technical aspects. ANDD will use this series to create a dialogue on issues of essential importance that in general tend to condition all development conversations in the region including at the national level.
   Within this initiative, Qatar University (QU) is organizing - in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) - the "Paper Series Perfection and Scientific Writing Workshop" on 5-6 September 2022 at the Research Complex H10 and via Webex (hybrid event).

Publications:

1. Opening the Lid series : the best 5-10 paper arising from the workshop will be selected for publication by the ANDD and a speaking series to be hosted by individual ANDD member entities

2. Open Access (OA) Journal: The network will consider establishing a peer-reviewed OA journal on sustainable development (SDG's) in the Arab region (in English and Arabic), based on an OA modality, with a global editorial board, and it will attract young scholars as authors.

   The journal will be provided via the Network HUB (hosted by Qatar University), seeking partnership and support from publishers to provide the online editorial management system from drafting to dissemination, e.g. QU Press new platform.

3. Other contributions: The Network will also encourage submissions to the ACUNS's journal Global Governance: A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations, published four times a year by Brill and other relevant journals supervised by institutional members.
4. Regular lectures, seminars, and webinars: internal irregular events organized throughout the year to showcase advanced research on critical contemporary issues of sustainable development in the Arab region in partnership with renowned academic stakeholders, such as universities, publishers, research institutions, think tanks, and (inter) governmental and non-governmental organizations.
5. Podcasts and blog: The regional platform will host periodical (bi-monthly) podcasts and an ongoing blog on current issues and research related to sustainable development through a dedicated online channel. The platform also entails a social media strategy that would help disseminate the posts and enable measurable results' collection and overall impact and outreach information.
6. Research Collaboration Co-Funding Programs: Focus on Research Priorities Areas related to SDGs: It aims at: Build trust and learn from each other’s experiences, and help the advancing scientifically in a concerted areas, Provide a vibrant cross-research platform to students and researchers by creating exchange opportunities, and Create partnerships and strengthen existing ones through joint research and innovation activities.
7. Summer Student Internships: The network will facilitate research internship opportunities in the member universities for undergraduate and postgraduate students in areas related to sustainability at the university/research center. The faculty and staff of research centers will mentor students to contribute to several research activities.