The Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS) is a regional, independent, non-profit organization committed to strengthening social science research and knowledge production across the Arab Region. By supporting both researchers and academic institutions, ACSS fosters the creation, dissemination, validation, and utilization of high-quality social science research. Its mission emphasizes enriching public debate on key societal challenges, informing policy, and enhancing the role of social sciences in public life throughout the region.
As a member of the World Data System (WDS), ACSS plays a vital role in promoting open, collaborative, and rigorous social science research. The Council’s objectives—such as building research capacity, encouraging independent inquiry, providing forums for scholarly exchange, and supporting wide dissemination of research—align closely with WDS’s mission to advance data sharing and best practices globally. Through its commitment to academic freedom, critical thinking, and networking among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, ACSS helps strengthen the infrastructure for responsible data stewardship and knowledge exchange within the WDS community. They have been an Associate member of the World Data System since 2017.