The ANVK is a non-profit organization. It was founded in January 2002 at Benoordenhout area in the Hague at the initiative of Dr. Tomador Meihuizen-Hassoun together with a large group of prominent Arab and Dutch intellectual women. It is based on the basis of respect and equality. Considerable attention is paid to quality,both of its activities as well as of its members, who are connected to the Arab and Dutch cultures. The ANVK is deeply dedicated to the promotion of dialogue in cultural, historical and social matters between the Dutch and Arabic societies through conferences, meetings, debates, exhibitions, film and art performances, and other forms of creative expression.

It is to be remarked that there are only a few organizations with Arab as well as Dutch members, who pay serious attention to intercultural communication within Dutch society.

The ANVK feels that cultural exchange is one of the most important opportunities for positive and social change and that a great deal of knowledge can be gained from this.

Nowadays this bridging of cultures should be more important than ever, since the misunderstanding of one another has grown since September 11 – 2001. The ANVK believes that communication and learning about each other can lead to a better understanding between the people belonging to different cultures.

For that reason we call upon you, Dutch and Arab women in the Netherlands, to join together to build bridges where necessary between our societies and civilizations.