The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release and photos can be viewed on the agency's Web site at: http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/052109a.shtm IMLS Convenes Meeting to Define Global Understanding Initiative Washington, DC-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 [log in to unmask] Participants were leaders in citizen diplomacy, international exchange, youth development, community development, and the museum and library fields, including the following members: Anan Ameri Director Arab American National Museum Dearborn, MI Rick J. Ashton Chief Operating Officer Urban Libraries Council, Chicago, IL Peggy A. Bulger Director American Folklife Center Library of Congress Washington, DC Ginnie Cooper Chief Librarian District of Columbia Public Library Washington, DC Alejandra de la Paz Executive Director Cultural Institute of Mexico Washington, DC Vishakha Desai President and CEO Asia Society New York, NY Betsy Devlin-Foltz Executive Director Longview Foundation Silver Spring, MD Michael Dowling Director International Relations Office and Chapter Relations Office American Library Association Chicago, IL Charlotte Eyerman Executive Committee Member French Regional and American Museums Exchange Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Saint Louis Art Museum St. Louis, MO Harriet Mayor Fulbright President The J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center Arlington, VA Silvia Blitzer Golombek Senior Vice President Youth Service America Washington, DC Elaine Heumann Gurian Senior Museum Consultant Elaine Heumann Gurian LLC Arlington, VA Frank Hodsoll President and CEO Resource Center for Cultural Engagement Washington, DC Ellen Holtzman Program Director for American Art Henry Luce Foundation New York, NY Eric S. Howard Executive Director Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology Cape Elizabeth, ME Ron Kagan Executive Director and CEO Detroit Zoological Society Royal Oak, MI Christine M. Kalke Senior Analyst and International Coordinator National Endowment for the Humanities Washington, DC Candace Katz Interim Executive Director President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Washington, DC Richard Kurin Under Secretary History Art, and Culture, Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC Erik Ledbetter Director International Programs and Ethics American Association of Museums Washington, DC Bob Lynch President and CEO Americans for the Arts Washington, DC Mary Kennedy McCabe Executive Director Mid-America Arts Alliance Kansas City, MO Peter McFarren CEO Inter-American Culture and Development Foundation Washington DC Sharon Memis Director British Council USA Washington DC Henry Moran Senior Consultant International Programs and Global Partnerships Institute of Museum and Library Services Washington, DC Peggy O'Brien Chief Office of Family & Public Engagement District of Columbia Public Schools Washington, DC Pennie Ojeda Director International Activities National Endowment for the Arts Washington, DC Malcolm Richardson Senior Partnership Officer National Endowment for the Humanities Washington, DC Stephan Roman Regional Director West Europe and North America British Council Manchester, UK Ann Olsen Schodde Executive Director US Center for Citizen Diplomacy Des Moines, IA Kathy Dwyer Southern President and CEO National Children's Museum Washington, DC Patrice Walker-Powell Acting Chairman National Endowment for the Arts Washington, DC Carole M. Watson Acting Chairman National Endowment for the Humanities Washington, DC Allen Weinstein Visiting Professor and Former Archivist of the United States College of Information Studies University of Maryland College Park, MD GladysAnn Wells Director and State Librarian Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records Phoenix, AZ Mats Widbom Cultural Counselor Embassy of Sweden Washington, DC About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. 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