International Coalition of Sites of Conscience

This project will build the capacity of 12 immigration history museums—including the Japanese American National Museum, Ellis Island National Monument, and the Levine Museum of the New South—to design and facilitate public dialogue programs on immigration issues of concern to their communities. Recognizing the growing role of museums as new centers for civic engagement, the "Immigration Sites of Conscience Network" will assist this pilot group of museums to create concrete and balanced methodologies and practices for using history and dialogue to explore contemporary immigration issues from multiple perspectives. Funding will support professional development for over 30 senior education and program staff in dialogue facilitation, programming, evaluation tools, and training in contemporary immigration issues. The project will create ongoing support through Web conferences and an online resource center.