Press Release (Spanish)
April 23, 2001 

Madame Aline Chrétien Launches MuseAmericas

Within the framework of the Third Summit of the Americas held last weekend in Quebec City, Madame Aline Chrétien of Canada launched the Virtual Museum of the Americas – MuseAmericas 

MuseAmericas – www.museamericas.org– was created by the Museum of the Americas Foundation, with technical support from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the assistance of experts from several countries, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and the United States.

MuseAmericas will serve as virtual platform for on-line exhibitions and will be equipped with a powerful search engine to enable visitors to explore the hemisphere's outstanding museums in the four principal languages of the Americas – English, French, Portuguese or Spanish. With its focus on education, MuseAmericas also contains on-line games and learning activities tailored to specific ages and grade levels.

Madame Chrétien emphasized that MuseAmericas will enrich the educational experience in classrooms throughout the hemisphere, adding that "investing in education is an essential part of strengthening democracy, creating prosperity and promoting human rights. If our children are to grow up to be good citizens with good jobs and promising futures, they must not be left behind in the digital age."

Madame Chrétien’s participation in the launch highlights the importance of the underlying theme of the Third Summit of the Americas: connectivity. This refers to the immense potential of information and communications technologies to foster awareness and understanding among the peoples of the Americas, as well as enhance the hemispheric quality of life.

"MuseAmericas is the 21st Century's answer to a provocative question: How do we explore the history and the culture of the Western Hemisphere in a way that is inclusive, engaging and inspiring?" said Lucy Duncan, President of the Museum of the Americas Foundation. "We are honored to introduce this unique cultural offering here in Quebec City as an example of connectivity at work."

OAS Secretary General César Gaviria noted that MuseAmericas is being introduced at a time when the nations of the Americas are working together more closely than ever before on a wide range of issues. "In this era of greater globalization, it is important not only that we trade with each other, but that we understand and appreciate each other's art and culture," he said.