Intercultural Understanding and Exchange Programs

 

American-Egyptian Dialogue

In the past decade, American perceptions of the Middle East and the Arab world suffered as a result of political events, lack of communication and interaction, and media portrayal, among other things. Likewise, Arabs and Muslims views of the United States grew increasingly negative, particularly among youth. Such situation resulted in declining international relations and the growth in popularity of theories such as the “clash of civilizations.”

Despite these negative perceptions of each other, Americans and Middle Easterners share many values. Recent surveys of Arabs’ attitudes towards Americans show that:

  • Although they generally have negative opinions about US policies in the Middle East, Arabs still share values (such as freedom, democracy, as justice) with Americans and have positive opinions of American people and products.
  • Most Arabs have only indirect or received knowledge about America. The principle source of that knowledge comes from the media. Arabs who have learned about America by visiting the US or knowing Americans have more favorable views of the US.

These examples underline the importance of cultivating personal relationships with the peoples of the Middle East.

The Egyptian-American Dialogue is HANDS’ answer to the misperceptions afflicting both sides of the Middle Eastern-Western divide. This program brings together Egyptians and Americans who are active in the media, academia, civil society, and religious leadership to discuss areas of mutual concern and to advocate for cross-cultural understanding within their spheres of influence. The topics include politics, religion, civil society strengthening, intercultural relations, diversity and tolerance. Through the dialogue conferences, lasting personal and professional ties are being built and joint projects are being created to encourage intercultural understanding between Americans and Egyptians.

pyramid

The most recent round of the program was held in April 2009 in Atlanta, GA and Washington DC. The formal dialogue sessions were organized in Atlanta around the theme: The Media in Egyptian and American Cultures: Its Influence in Creating Images of the Other. Dialogues and workshops included discussion on the challenges faced by new and traditional media sources in portraying accurate images of the other culture, and the impact on relations between the Middle East and the West.

The Egyptian delegation had the opportunity to network with non-governmental and governmental institutions in the US, making significant connections with organizations such as Middle East Institute and National Council on US-Arab Relations in Washington, DC, the Carter Center in Atlanta and local Rotary clubs. They also met with students and professors at the University of Maryland and American University’s International Peace and Conflict Resolution program.

Dialogue in Atlanta

Panels and speaking engagements such as “Gender Diversity in the Middle East” and “Contemporary Egyptian Civil Society” were another component of the program, held at Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University.

Overview of Past AED Sessions

The first round of dialogue was held in Washington DC in February 2006. Among the attendees from Egypt were a former deputy of Al Azhar University, a supreme Islamic institution among Sunni Muslims, and journalists from Al Ahram, the most popular newspaper in Egypt. The American delegation included a similar cadre of university professors, former ambassadors, leaders of civil society organizations, and religious leaders. Participants visited many civil society and governmental institutions, held panel presentations, and debated issues, while still finding time to exchange jokes, laughter, and personal experiences. At the end of this event, everyone agreed on the importance of continuing and expanding the program. Participants returned to their communities enriched by new experiences, knowledge and friendships, which have empowered them to understand the real people that constitute the other culture.

AED group at American University, February 2006, Washington DC

Back row, from left: Egyptian Embassy representative;Ambassador Theodore Kattouf,President and CEO of AMIDEAST; Dr. Nabil Abadir,Dir.General of CEOSS; Bob Stoddard, former V.P. of Lebanese American Univ.; Jennifer Cate, Exec. Dir.,HANDS; Anne Marsa, HANDS Dialogue Coordinator; Rev. Scott Hill, Corydon Presbyterian Church (IN); Dr. Linda Johnston, Prof. of Conflict Resolution, Kennesaw State Univ.; Rev. Scott Haggray, Exec. Dir. of DC Baptist Convention; Alma Abdul Hadi Jadallah, facilitator. Middle row from left: Dr.Samer El Kamary, Asst.Prof.Univ. of Maryland, School of Medicine; Dr. Emad Gad, Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies; Amina Shafik, AlAhram columnist; Dr. Fathy Abou Ayana,Prof. of Demographics, Alexandria Univ.; Julie Ryan-Silva, evaluator; Sheikh Mahmoud Ashour, Al Azhar Univ.; Samira Luka, Dir. of Cultural Development Division, CEOSS. Front row from left: Marianne Elias, AMIDEAST; Amira Maaty,IREX; Motazz Soliman, CAIR. Not pictured: Alaa Bayoumi,CAIR; Sherif Amr, anchor, Al Horra News (Washington DC, American University, February 2006)

Another dialogue was held in Alexandria, Egypt, in February 2007. A total of eight US delegates traveled to Egypt to meet for a week-long dialogue with about 20 Egyptian counterparts. American delegates included journalists, representatives of the American Baptist and Presbyterian Church, university professors, etc. Besides people who participated in the previous round of dialogue in the US, the Egyptian delegates included a former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, diplomats, journalists, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, and university professors. Together, they visited the Al Ahram Center for Strategic Studies, Arabs Against Discrimination, community development projects that HANDS supports in Egypt, and talked to the participants from the CEOSS’ Forum for Intercultural Dialogue (Christian-Muslim Dialogue program in Egypt). The discussion sessions revolved around President Carter. Participants also explored the sources of conflict and misunderstanding between the US and Egyptian points of views, as each side tried to gain deeper insight into the others perspective. As usual, some time was also dedicated to exploring cultural and historical riches of the host country, which provided a good opportunity for informal interaction among participants.

In November 2007, a session of the Egyptian-American Dialogue was held in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA in November 2007. A total of eight Egyptian participants came to the US this time to take part in the program. This year, participants discussed the role of civil society organizations, the media, and faith communities in bridging the intercultural gap. The Egyptian delegation met with a number of groups and government representatives including Partners for Peace, the Council for the National Interest and Members of the Senate Committee on Foriegn Relations. Dialogue members participated in a panel discussion held at the Egyptian Cultural Center discussing the theme "The Role of Civil Society in Empowering Marginalized Groups in Egypt." They also met with the congregation of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania to explore current issues in each others' societies. Part of the Egyptian-American Dialogue program is always dedicated to providing an opportunity for the visiting group to learn more about the culture and history of the host country. This time, such activities including a guided tour of Washington, DC (in Arabic), a trip to George Washington's home at Mount Vernon, visits to Smithsonian Muesums, a private tour of the Capitol, dinner with local families,a tour of historical Philadelphia and an Amish Community in Lancaster, PA, and Thanksgiving dinners with American families.

Bryn Mawr

Egyptian delegates met with local community members in Bryn Mawr, PA

Get Involved

Here is how you can help American - Egyptian Dialogue:

Make a donation

Host the next dialogue in your community

Invite one of American-Egyptian Dialogue participants to give a talk in your community

Apply to become a participant
(we are looking specifically for the representatives of religious communities, civil society groups and organizations, media professionals and members of academia).

If you wish to support American-Egyptian Dialogue in any way, or if you would like to become a participant, please contact HANDS office at 703-875 9370 or by email at aed@handsalongthenile.org.

1601 N. Kent Street, Suite 1014 Arlington VA, 22209
Phone: 703-875-9370 Fax:703-875-9371
© 2006 Hands Along the Nile Development Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Seven days, the lifetime of the visit, went quickly, carrying intensive and various discussions on religion, politics and culture. The mixed feeling I had on my way to the United States dispensed, and I returned back with a strong belief that dialogue between nations, peoples, especially between Arabs and other peoples, should continue. Others don't understand us unless we talk with them."

Amina Shafik, Journalist Al Ahram

 

 

 

"I found the dialogue with Americans fruitful, inspiring and constructive. We have to continue our dialogue because it is the only way to bring those who believe in peace and co-existence together, giving them say in a troubled world, directed only by politicians, warlords and anti-peace theorists and intellectuals."

Samira Luka, The Forum for Intercultural Dialogue, Egypt

 

 

 

"The first round of the Egyptian American Dialogue seemed to be a very fruitful discussion and experience. The discussion was full of freedom and honesty. Both the Egyptian and American delegations came to be familiar with one another and learn from one another. I'm sure that the coming rounds will be even deeper than the first one."

Sheikh Mahmoud Ashour, Al Azhar University

 

 

 

In response to a letter which American-Egyptian Dialogue participants sent after discussing his latest book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid", former US president Jimmy Carter sent this note to the participants:

Jimmy Carter Note

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