Intercultural Dialogue Group

The Intercultural Dialogue Group is a group of organizations that share the same goals: advancing the knowledge and understanding of people with different beliefs and cultures and exploring how they can live in harmony and peace. Dialogue does not mean the blurring of differences between Muslims and Christians but showing respect for one another despite the differences that exist.

The Intercultural Dialogue Group is comprised of:

- Center for Arab-West Understanding, Egypt – http://www.cawu.org/

- Center for Intercultural Dialogue and Translations, Egypt -  http://www.cidtegypt.com/

- Stichting Arab-West Foundation, The Netherlands - http://www.arabwestfoundation.com/

In addition, two additional support organizations are under construction:

- Understanding Muslim-Christian Relations, Korea

- Arab West Foundation – U.S., United States of America

Structure and tasks

Organizations in the Intercultural Dialogue Group support the production and publication of the weekly electronic magazine Arab-West Report (AWR), Arab-West Papers and their electronic database.  The purpose of these publications and database is to foster intercultural and inter-religious understanding and to bridge the gaps of misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians and Arab and non-Arab societies.

The Center for Arab-West Understanding (CAWU) is an Egyptian NGO (number 6985) based in Cairo, registered in 2007.  Its sister organization, the Center for Intercultural Dialogue and Translations (CIDT), is a Cairo based civil company, founded in 2005. Both organizations grew from AWR. 

Since 1997 AWR has monitored Egyptian media reporting on Muslim-Christian tensions and Arab-West relations and provides summary reviews from Egyptian newspapers. It addresses the frequent and increasing sectarian Muslim-Christian tensions in Egypt that are frequently misrepresented as Muslim violence against Christians and have a negative impact on Muslim-non-Muslim relations in countries with Muslim minorities. AWR researches the background of conflicts and supports peaceful solutions. Translations and reviews for AWR are produced by CIDT and  published by the Dutch NGO Stichting Arab West Foundation (AWF).

AWR is supported through donations and the work of volunteers. American and Korean friends of Arab-West Report are working on establishing support organizations in the USA and Korea, searching opportunities for financial support, being a contact point for volunteers, and informing media about the activities of Arab-West Report and the Intercultural Dialogue Group.

Projects:

The Center for Intercultural Dialogue and Translation led the foundation of the Electronic Network for Arab-West Understanding. The CIDT was financially supported by the Anna Lindh Foundation, Misereor and Sarwat Basily, an Egyptian businessman. www.enawu.org

In 2001 Cornelis Hulsman, co-founder of the Center for Arab-West Understanding, co-authored the book 'Be Thou There'. The Holy Family's Journey in Egypt, AUC Press, 2001.  This led to the establishment of the holy family website:  www.holyfamilyegypt.com