About the Journal

Introduction  

The Academic Network for Development Dialogue (ANDD) Paper Series is an annual, peer-reviewed scholarly journal led by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and published by Qatar University Press. It focuses on sustainable development and public policy in the Arab region.

The journal publishes papers in both English and Arabic and aims to encourage informed dialogue on the structural challenges and opportunities facing the Arab region, extending beyond conventional sectoral and technical approaches to development. Through its annual thematic volumes, the ANDD Paper Series promotes critical reflection on emerging and underexplored issues at the regional, national, and local levels.

The journal primarily targets young Arab scholars and early- to mid-career United Nations professionals, providing a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, rigorous research, and policy-relevant analysis. It encourages the development of evidence-based and practical policy solutions that address complex development challenges and contribute to sustainable development across the Arab region. The journal also welcomes selected contributions from distinguished senior researchers, policy experts, and practitioners that enrich scholarly and policy dialogue.

 

History

On 14 July 2020, representatives from 16 academic and research institutions, together with the representatives from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and Qatar University, convened to launch the Academic Network for Development Dialogue (ANDD). The initiative responds to the growing need to strengthen collaboration and dialogue between academia and the United Nations in addressing development challenges in the Arab region.

By leveraging academic research and expertise to inform United Nations programmes and policies, ANDD contributes to advancing proactive policymaking aligned with national development priorities. In this context, the Network provides a platform for knowledge exchange between young academics and scholars and UN professionals to address complex or “wicked” problems and to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its related goals in the region.

 

The ANDD Paper Series publishes annual thematic volumes; each centered on a clearly defined development priority. The first Paper Series was conducted under the theme: “Building on the Similarities between Arab Countries for Fostering Sustainable Development.” The second and third volumes were dedicated to “Promoting Human Wellbeing and Strengthening Capabilities to Accelerate Sustainable Development in the Arab Region: Lessons Learnt and Good Practices.” The fourth volume (2025-2026) is dedicated to “Building Urban Resilience: Strengthening Community Resilience for Disaster Risk Reduction in Cities.”

 

Each year, shortlisted authors with initially accepted papers are invited to participate in a Paper Development Workshop (PDW), hosted by a member university, where they engage in an interactive review process with academic experts, researchers, and UN professionals. The first PDW was hosted by Qatar University in September 2022, the second by the College of Public Policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in May 2024, and the third by Sultan Qaboos University in May 2025.

 

The ANDD Network

The Academic Network for Development Dialogue (ANDD) is a collaborative network comprising 38 institutional members from across the Arab region. The Network’s activities are overseen by a Steering Committee representing its member institutions, with the chairmanship rotating periodically among participating institutions.

The first ANDD workshop was hosted by Qatar University in September 2022. Qadi Ayyad University served as Chair for 2022-2023, Al-Quds University for 2023–2024, Hamad Bin Khalifa University for 2024–2025, and Sultan Qaboos University for 2025–2026.

ESCWA provides secretariat support to the Network. The ANDD Network facilitates collaboration, dialogue, and knowledge exchange among its members; however, it does not exercise any editorial authority over the ANDD Paper Series. All editorial decisions related to the journal are made independently in accordance with established peer-review and editorial governance policies.

 

Vision

Aligned with the vision of ANDD, the Paper Series seeks to bridge the knowledge gap between academia and the work of the United Nations, contributing to a future in which the Arab region advances through collaborative, evidence-based, and sustainable approaches to development challenges.

 

Mission

The ANDD Paper Series provides a dynamic platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange primarily among young Arab scholars and early- to mid-career UN professionals, while also welcoming contributions from distinguished senior researchers, policy experts, and practitioners. The Paper Series aims to address structural challenges and opportunities in the Arab region beyond conventional development paradigms, while promoting innovative ideas and solutions that support transformative and sustainable development.

 

Objectives

The ANDD Paper Series aims to:

  1. Empower Young Scholars: Provide a platform for emerging researchers to present critical ideas, innovative proposals, and actionable solutions, supporting their role as future change-makers.
  2. Address Critical Issues: Focus on key yet often overlooked challenges in the Arab region’s development discourse, including complex and cross-cutting (“wicked”) problems that transcend traditional sectoral boundaries.
  3. Promote Dialogue and Collaboration: Foster structured exchange and collaboration among young Arab scholars and early- to mid-career UN professionals, encouraging interdisciplinary perspectives, knowledge sharing, and regional cooperation on complex development challenges.
  4. Translate Research into Action: Create an enabling environment that supports the development of research-based proposals into innovative, evidence-based, and feasible policy solutions.
  5. Contribute to Sustainable Development: Support the generation and implementation of evidence-based solutions that advance social, economic, and environmental sustainability in the Arab region.

 

Diamond Open Access Publishing Model

The ANDD Paper Series operates under a Diamond Open Access publishing model. No article processing charges (APCs), submission fees, or publication fees are charged to authors, and all published content is freely available to readers upon publication. Articles may be accessed, downloaded, shared, and used in accordance with the journal's licensing terms, provided proper attribution is given to the original work. This model supports the broad dissemination of knowledge, research accessibility, and the advancement of scholarly and policy dialogue on sustainable development issues.