FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Belgium
Address
Keizer Karelstraat 47Country
City
BrusselMobile Phone
+32468186996E-Mail (2)
desireecusters@yahoo.comWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
2023Contact Person1
Desiree CustersJob Title 1
Executive directorContact Person 2
Walid al-AghbariJob Title 2
Deputy directorOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
International/Cultural relationsGeneral Information
The EWANA Center for Cultural Understanding (The EWANA Center) is based in Brussels, Belgium, and has been registered as a non-profit organisation since 2023. It consists of 7 volunteers implementing a number of projects with minimum financial support. Budgetary resources available per year are between 1000 - 5000 euros. The work mainly consists of online dialogue sessions, irregular in-person workshops and lectures, and digital knowledge production.
Mission and Objectives
The EWANA Center for Cultural Understanding (The EWANA Center) was brought into life to cultivate cultural exchange and understanding between and within Europe, West Asia, and North Africa based on the belief that cultural development takes on a central place in human development and that it can strengthen the inclusion of a wide range of actors in social, economic, and political activities.
Therefore, we strive for a world in which cultural diversity and development is celebrated and cherished on all levels of society on the basis of mutual respect and understanding of each other’s cultures.
To achieve our goal of strengthening cultural understanding, we focus on two main pillars: 1) to serve as a platform where people from Europe, West Asia, and North Africa can come together and exchange views; 2) to serve as a platform where information, knowledge, and ideas relevant to cultural exchange and cultural development are shared and advocated.
Main Projects / Activities
- Maqha Conversations: an online dialogue format convening young experts from Europe, West Asia and North Africa on a bi-monthly basis
- Grain of Salt podcast: Arab(ic) language podcast focusing on exploring cultural identities across Europe, West Asia and North Africa
- Activities related to contemporary Arab(ic) literature and how literature can increase cultural understanding
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
We aim to cultivate curiosity, cultural understanding, and a counter-discourse to ´othering´ in the context of relations between Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. We do this on the international level by convening young experts from the three regions, as well as the national level by organizing in-person workshops and events on the city level.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
We would like to broaden our reach, engage with other organisations working in the same field, and increase the visibility of our own work.
Additional Information
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