Call for Contributions

19th May 2023 13:00

SEPAD, in collaboration with Clingendael is publishing a short report engaging in a comparative analysis of transformative visions deployed by states in the Gulf. 

While Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has received a great deal of attention due to its eye catching efforts to transform the state, the Kingdom is not alone in articulating an economic vision that seeks to reshape the socio-economic and political landscapes of states in the Gulf. Oman has Vision 2040, Qatar has Vision 2030, Kuwait has Vision 2035, and the UAE has the Projects of the 50 scheme. At the heart of such efforts is a desire to transform economies away from a reliance on oil towards knowledge based economies, yet such developments are delicate balancing acts at several levels and come at a precarious political, social and economic moment. This requires careful consideration of their parameters, modalities and repercussions. 

The report will be comprised of contributions of no more than 2000 words that reflect on the following areas: 

  • The philosophical roots of the vision 
  • The essence of transformation
  • The political, economic and social repercussions 
  • Results to date, unexpected challenges and surprising opportunities 
  • The response of domestic and regional actors  

If you are interested in contributing, please email Edward Wastnidge at edward.wastnidge@open.ac.uk with the following information, by 19th May: 

  • Name
  • Affiliation
  • Country of interest
  • Intended scope 
  • Short outline of the argument


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