Mr. Stuart Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), and Dr. Daniel J. Caron, Librarian and Archivist of Canada, today signed an agreement that will see their organizations work jointly to showcase, in both virtual and physical format, original artifacts and materials reflecting Canada’s human rights history.
“This partnership will yield countless learning opportunities for visitors about the way the concept of human rights has, and continues, to resonate within the Canadian setting,” said Daniel J. Caron, Librarian and Archivist of Canada. “Canadians want to see, touch, connect with, and understand their heritage and Library and Archives Canada is committed to making our collection accessible to communities across Canada.”
“The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be an important gathering place for scholars, educators, youth, international visitors, and Canadians to study the subject of human rights, said Stuart Murray, President and CEO of the CMHR. ―Through this partnership with LAC, we can enhance our visitors’ experience by providing increased access to some of Canada’s most notable human rights collections. Using these collections to develop engaging content and programming, both on-site and on-line, we will ignite debate; challenge visitors to confront difficult issues; and, inspire people to take responsibility and become activists for change in their communities, their countries and their world.”
This agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between LAC and CMHR in order to develop initiatives and exhibits that explore human rights and promote dialogue, understanding, and respect. Discussions related to potential collaborative opportunities and the identification of specific pieces from the LAC collection to be loaned or featured are underway.
This partnership agreement between the CMHR and LAC articulates both institutions’ commitment to working jointly to improve knowledge of Canada’s human rights history for the benefit of present and future generations. In 2008, LAC and the CMHR collaborated on CMHR’s first Web exhibition, Everyone Has the Right: A Canadian and the Words that Changed the World. The online exhibition provided a foundation for the Museum’s Web presence and for future collaboration between LAC and the CMHR. LAC provided curatorial support for content development of this exhibit.
ABOUT LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA
In 2004, the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada were drawn together by the Library and Archives of Canada Act to create a new knowledge institution for Canadians—Library and Archives Canada, a source of enduring knowledge and the continuing memory of the government of Canada and its institutions.
Library and Archives Canada’s mandate is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations, and to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada. In addition, Library and Archives Canada facilitates in Canada cooperation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge, and serves as the continuing memory of the government of Canada and its institutions. For more information about Library and Archives Canada please visit http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/
ABOUT THE CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), currently under construction in Winnipeg, Manitoba, was established to provide a place for Canadians, and the world, to explore and promote the subject of human rights and to encourage human rights action. With building construction scheduled to be complete in 2012 and a grand opening planned for April 2013, the CMHR is the first national museum established in over 40 years, and the first national museum to be located outside the National Capital Region. For more information about the Museum please visit http://humanrightsmuseum.ca/.
For more information on the partnership between Library and Archives Canada and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights or for media inquiries, please contact:
Pauline Portelance
Head, Media Relations Library and Archives Canada
Tel: 819-994-4589
[email protected]
Angela Cassie
Director of Communications
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Tel: 204 289-2006
Cell.: 204 290-3651
[email protected]
