IMLS convenes meeting to define global understanding initiative

Institute of Museum and Library Services , 21 May 2009,USA

Leaders of international cultural organizations, libraries, museums, and schools met May 15 for an all-day brainstorming session on how museums and public libraries can advance global understanding and increase cross-cultural communications, particularly among youth. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which hosted the meeting, will translate the day’s dialogue into a policy statement highlighting the partnership role that museums and libraries can play in linking global communities.

“Museums and libraries have an exceptional capacity to anchor communities, inspire learning, promote dialogue, and strengthen global awareness,” said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, IMLS Director. “These cultural institutions are essential partners in their local communities and the time is right for them to become even more powerful partners linking the global community.”

“As the U.S. enters into a new era of international collaboration and prepares itself for a renewed role in cultural diplomacy, it is important that federal agencies like IMLS are drawing attention to the role that museums and libraries can play,” said Mrs. Harriet Mayor Fulbright, widow of Senator J. William Fulbright, President of the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center.

Goals of the meeting were to:

- Identify common goals and challenges and inspire collaboration;
- Develop awareness and build bridges between museums and libraries and organizations whose experience includes cross-cultural communications and development of global understanding;
- Develop the capacity of museum and libraries to contribute to successful cross-cultural interaction and navigation of diverse cultures;
- Focus attention on building global awareness among young people and library and museum professionals, and;
- Identify possible policy, practice, communication, and resource strategies.

To provide comments on museums and libraries’ roles in advancing global understanding and cross-cultural communications, please contact IMLS Research Officer Mary Downs at mdowns@imls.gov.

external link >

Show latest news, more from May 2009.