A. Background
In October 2018, ARDD launched its Al Nahda Research Centre with a three-year programme entitled The Question of Palestine 70 Years On: Priorities for Action. The programme aims to explore issues related to the unresolved Israel-Palestine conflict through expert meetings, development and dissemination of policy briefs, as well as stakeholder consultations and coordination. Concurrently, as an integral part of the programme, ARDD also launched the Global Network of Experts on the Question of Palestine (GNQP), with the aim to inject innovative thinking into the discourse on Palestine and, in the process, to influence key decision-makers and partners. As the programme approaches the end of its third year, ARDD aims to produce a volume researching networks that address the Palestinian issue, including the GNQP, and adopt key findings that can enhance the effectiveness of the latter.[1]
B. Objectives
Overall objective: to explore the raison d’être, potential and added value of various networks on the Question of Palestine at large, including the Global Network on the Question of Palestine.
Specific objectives: to provide an overview of the history, rationale and functions of existing local, regional and international networks on Palestine, and to conclude strategic recommendations to the GNQP and other networks operating in this field.
C. Scope of work and methodology
The scope of work is divided between literature review and field ‘virtual’ research/consultations (no less than 10 interviews) with leaders of networks and network stakeholders such as INGOs, UNRWA and other UN agencies, universities and governmental institutions. The research approach is qualitative, exploratory and descriptive. Such an approach will enable the contributions to the edited volume to offer an understanding of the role and potential of networks on the Question of Palestine, as well as consider untapped opportunities. The writers are expected to approach the study in one of the four areas specified below (historical, political, legal, financing), with the aim to deliver the above mentioned objectives.
D. Call for submissions
ARDD would like to invite researchers, practitioners and advocates to submit concise papers on the various networks that emerged over the years advocating for Palestine and/or Palestinian refugees. The volume shall focus on four areas:
1. History – The Origins of Networks on the Question of Palestine
2. Politics – The Effect of Networks on the Question of Palestine in Shaping Political Agendas
3. Law – Networks and A Rights-Based Approach Towards Palestine: Challenges and Successes
4. Finance – Lobbying for Palestine: Financing Networks
Each paper is supposed to be on one of the four areas and have aspects intersecting with other areas. A writer may also submit proposals on more than one area.
In approaching these areas, the contributions should reflect on (all and/or some of) the following questions:
a. Mapping existing networks at the local, national, regional or international level;
b. Good practices and gaps of networks addressing and/or impacting the Question of Palestine;
c. What or who successfully drives change in internationalizing the Question of Palestine?
d. Instances in which change, adaptation or rupture in network strategies occurred;
e. Evaluations of how such change occurred and what demonstrable impacts they had on internationalizing the Question of Palestine;
f. Challenges and opportunities of strategic, cross-regional cooperation on the Question of Palestine and its relation to the diaspora across the globe.
g. Networks’ interactions with international organizations including UNRWA and other UN agencies, governmental stakeholders, universities and other right movements.
h. What has been achieved by the network in terms of goals and processes?
i. What needs to be improved to capitalize on widespread active networks and their connections?
j. How to measure the impact of these multi-stakeholder processes, including on rights and political opportunities for the Palestinians including the refugees?
k. To what extent do existing network capture international and regional developments, patterns and dynamics?
l. How have Palestinian refugee policies and diplomatic relations of individual countries shaped and been shaped by such processes?
m. What are the legal processes supported by the existing network and how have they advanced the cause for justice for the Palestinians (in Palestine and in the countries where Palestinians live as refugees/diaspora)?
n. What are the coordination mechanisms between and among local, national and international networks on the Question of Palestine (information-sharing, advocacy, collection of evidence, pursuing judicial remedies across regions);
o. How do international, regional, national and local networks advocate for accountability and attempt to bring to justice the perpetrators of violations against Palestinians?
p. What are some examples of network strategies which have been effective in advancing awareness, accountability and justice in the question of Palestine?
E. Submission of proposals
Writers are invited to submit, by 24 December 2020, an abstract of up to 500 words outlining the research they wish to contribute with. The abstract should explain how the research relates to the themes described above. Successful abstracts will outline how their proposed papers will pose key questions, cite key challenges, generate new evidence or knowledge, and put forward recommendations for advocacy, capacity building and reform. In so doing, submissions should take special note of the potential role of networks on the Question of Palestine.
Selection of papers will be made from the submitted abstracts, based on relevance to the sematic themes. The authors of selected abstracts will be asked to submit a complete paper of between 5000 and 6000 words in English. Abstracts should be submitted by 24 December 2020 to fpa7@georgetown.edu and islimi@ardd-jo.org.
F. Timeline
- 4 December 2020 – opening call for submission of abstracts
- 13 December 2020 – deadline for submitting queries regarding the call for proposal
- 24 December 2020 – deadline of submission of abstracts
- 5 January 2021 – notification of selected abstracts
- 10 January 2021 – first meeting with contributors to discuss the edited volume
- 25 January 2021 – deadline for first draft paper
- 30 January 2021 – submission of final draft paper
- End of February 2021 – publication of the edited volume
G. Honorarium
ARDD will offer an honorarium of $500 per each contribution which will appear in the published volume.
[1] With networks related to the Question of Palestine reference is made to academic networks as well as networks geared towards advocacy and civic engagements.
