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The AICafè is meant to foster political
information, and to advance ideas, which may start alternative ways of
knowledge and communication in order to achieve awareness in all spheres of
daily life, such as politics, economics and international issues.
Cafes have traditionally functioned as factories for
ideas. It is likely that numerous important decisions which have altered
history were taken over a cup of tea or coffee. Nowadays, the value of “being
together” is rapidly changing as people communicate more and more through new
media. However, the practice of meeting in a cafe has not died out; indeed, it
has evolved with the appearance of “topical” cafes.
To enhance
communication between people from different cultures and experiences in a
region in which information is often hindered, is one of the goals of the newly
established AICafè, a political café run by volunteers of the Alternative Information
Center.
The AICafè is meant to foster political
information, and to advance ideas, which may start alternative ways of
knowledge and communication in order to achieve awareness in all spheres of
daily life, such as politics, economics and international issues. Without
denying the importance of the most important and significant cultural
traditions, the AICafè strives to promote change and to enhance new social and
political practices by creating a wide range of events and activities centred
on dialogue and mutual understanding.
In accordance with the AIC though, which promotes
responsible co-operation between Palestinians and Israelis based on the values
of social and political justice, equality, solidarity and community
involvement, the AICafè provides an open space for local and international
people to endorse a joint struggle for Palestinian people rights, against
Israeli policy of occupation.
The AICafè, hosted in the historic AIC office building
in the heart of Beit Sahour, holds political material, guides, reports, the AIC’s
numerous publications and a library. The café serves primarily local and fairly
traded products from the area.
The AICafè is starting a networking process with other
political cafés around the world and is currently linked with the Dutch
political café Averechts in Utrecht
(http://www.averechts.nl).
You can
find us in:
Building
111,
Main Street, ( 2mins from the Souq el-Shab)
Beit Sahour.
Bethlehem, West Bank
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