Founded in 1993, the Museo Pambata Foundation Inc. was granted by the City of Manila the use of the historical Elks Club building to house an interactive children’s museum, the first of its kind in the country. Since then, the Museo Pambata has created eight interactive theme rooms, traveled four major exhibits and welcomed almost three million visitors.

The Museo Pambata is primarily a children’s interactive museum established to enhance the lives of Filipino children. It has eight theme rooms where children, families and school groups can explore new and exciting learning opportunities. Educational and outreach programs for children and adults enhance Museo Pambata’s interactive exhibits. Themes of these programs reflect and respond to questions children ask about themselves and the world they live in. Among these programs is the “Peace Building” project, where children are made aware of conflicts through interactive workshops.

Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc. plays an active role in the arena of children’s museums in Europe and the US. The Founder-President and Executive Director have been invited to talk about Museo Pambata and its programs, specifically those that include marginalized children and those living in war-torn areas.

Conflicts can exist in the family, community or nation. Children’s museums can be bridges in understanding these conflicts. We start with the young to help build peaceful adults. To answer this, the Museo Pambata, through a grant from the Japan Foundation, is holding the 1st Asian Children’s Museum Conference with the theme: Children’s Museum as Bridges of Peace. The four-day conference, which will be held on February 23-26, 2008, will bring together museum workers, educators, peace builders, parents and students from Asia. Forums, plenary sessions, workshops will be held to discuss how children’s museums can build peace in their respective countries.

Identity. Know the Asian culture, the Filipino child and their hopes for peace.

Expositions or workshops on how to: create interactive exhibits, market the museum, and develop relevant programs that reach marginalized kids.

Experience performances by the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company and Museo Pambata’s Children’s Advocacy Program.

Exchange. Talk-shops or small groups that can share their concerns.

Statements and reflections.
Visit 4 major Philippine museums.

1. to provide new learnings for all participants
2. to organize an Asian Children’s Museum network
3. to make known the relevance of children’s museums today.

Manila Hotel
One Rizal Park
Roxas Boulevard
Manila Philippines 1099