International Council of Museums

Definition

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is a global organization dedicated to promoting and supporting museums and museum professionals worldwide. ICOM provides a platform for collaboration among its members, addressing issues related to museum ethics, conservation, and the role of museums in society, particularly in the context of collecting and repatriation of cultural heritage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ICOM was founded in 1946 and has grown to include thousands of museum professionals from around the world, making it a key player in global museum practices.
2. One of ICOM's primary roles is to develop and uphold ethical standards for museums, which includes advocating for responsible collecting and proper stewardship of cultural artifacts.
3. ICOM plays a critical role in discussions surrounding the repatriation of artifacts, emphasizing the importance of returning objects to their communities or countries of origin.
4. The organization organizes international conferences and workshops that foster dialogue about contemporary issues faced by museums, including the impact of globalization on cultural heritage.
5. ICOM also provides resources and guidelines that assist museums in implementing best practices for preservation, education, and community engagement.

Review Questions

• How does ICOM influence ethical standards within museums globally?
  • ICOM influences ethical standards globally by establishing a framework that guides museum professionals in their practices related to collections, conservation, and community engagement. Through its codes of ethics, ICOM encourages museums to adopt responsible collecting practices and to prioritize the rights of source communities. This framework helps create a more equitable environment for cultural heritage management, promoting dialogue between museums and the communities they serve.
• Discuss the role of ICOM in facilitating discussions about repatriation and its importance for cultural heritage.
  • ICOM plays a pivotal role in facilitating discussions about repatriation by providing a platform for dialogue among museum professionals, policymakers, and indigenous communities. Its emphasis on ethical considerations encourages museums to evaluate their collections critically and recognize the significance of returning cultural artifacts. This process is vital for fostering trust between museums and source communities while ensuring that cultural heritage is preserved and honored in its rightful context.
• Evaluate the impact of ICOM's initiatives on global museum practices, particularly regarding ethical collecting and repatriation.
  • ICOM's initiatives have significantly impacted global museum practices by shifting perceptions around ethical collecting and repatriation. By advocating for responsible stewardship and transparency in museum operations, ICOM encourages institutions to reassess their collections and acknowledge historical injustices related to colonialism. This has led to increased awareness about the importance of returning artifacts to their rightful owners, fostering reconciliation, and promoting a more inclusive approach to cultural heritage management across diverse communities worldwide.

Related terms

Cultural Heritage:

The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from past generations.

Repatriation:

The process of returning cultural property to its country of origin or to the communities from which it was taken.

Museum Ethics: A set of principles guiding the behavior and responsibilities of museum professionals, particularly in relation to collection practices and the treatment of cultural artifacts.