The Middle Eastern and North African Dance Initiative for Cultural Diplomacy (MENADICD) envisions the indigenous and folk dances of the Middle East and North Africa as an important, but neglected diplomatic tool in cultural diplomacy, especially in U.S.-Middle East relations. Our mission is to educate the populace about Middle Eastern and North African dance, specifically Raqs Sharqi—an Egyptian folk dance, through dance festivals, classes, workshops, seminars, arts-in-education school programs, academic conferences, lecture-demonstrations, and the media. MENADICD is a member of the UNESCO's International Dance Council.