INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF MUSEUMS

ICOM

Maison de l'UNESCO

1, rue Miollis

75015 Paris France

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PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate ReleaseParis, 21 February 2008 REVOLUTION ON INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY18th MAY 2008 ICOM ensures that May 18^th will be the largest-ever international gathering of museums. The International Council of Museums (ICOM), announces this year’s theme for International Museum Day :“Museums as Agents of Social Change and Development”. For the first time since the celebration was created in 1977, ICOM is inviting museums to take action in museums around the globe both in the real world and in the virtual world.  Alissandra Cummins, President of ICOM states: “While traditionally museums are known for their collections, more and more museums are taking an active key role in exploring social issues with communities to contribute to their development. The educational and ethical function of the museum is to engage culturally diverse contemporary communities through exhibitions and workshops and their design. International Museum Day shows that it is possible to gather together in a new way to interpret the past in light of the present to shape a better future.” In 2007, approximately 20,000 museums in more than 70 countries already participated in the 30^th International Museum Day with activities, partnerships, and events connected to “Museums & Universal Heritage”. This year, to better express changes in society and explore development, ICOM is inviting the world museum community in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, North America, Latin America, and Europe to create activities in their museums based on this theme and to gather in new ways to celebrate International Museum Day. See: http://icom.museum/imd.html The highlight of the suggested online activities is hosted by The Tech Museum of Innovation on 18 May in the replica of its Silicon Valley museum of technology on SECOND LIFEâ, the virtual 3-D platform created by Linden Labâ. From real-world museums, museum professionals and the public will be able to communicate with colleagues, artists and “residents” in the virtual world. They will therefore be able to participate on IMD in the collective development of exhibits in The Tech in SECOND LIFEâ.  Alissandra Cummins adds: “The developing world has been suffering from the digital divide: on International Museum Day, we want to show how museums can help bridge that divide between two worlds through new creative interaction between museum professionals.”    Contact:

Carla Bonomi, Jehanne Fabre or Lysa Hochroth

communication@icom.museum

For more information: http://www.icom.museum