International Council of Museums

Definition

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is a global organization dedicated to promoting the understanding and preservation of cultural heritage through museums. It provides guidance on ethical standards and best practices for museums worldwide, emphasizing the importance of repatriation and the ethical implications of collecting artifacts and cultural property. ICOM plays a crucial role in facilitating dialogue among institutions, professionals, and communities about these pressing issues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ICOM was founded in 1946 and has since grown to include over 40,000 members from around the world, making it one of the largest museum associations globally.
2. The organization works on developing international standards for museum practice, including issues related to conservation, education, and research.
3. ICOM's Code of Ethics for Museums serves as a critical framework for addressing repatriation debates, guiding institutions on how to ethically handle collections and artifacts.
4. ICOM hosts international conferences and workshops to facilitate discussions about the future of museums and the significance of cultural heritage in society.
5. One key initiative by ICOM is the establishment of committees that focus on specific areas of museum practice, including repatriation, helping to promote best practices across various regions.

Review Questions

• How does ICOM influence the debate surrounding repatriation and the ethics of collecting in museums?
  • ICOM significantly influences the debate around repatriation by establishing ethical guidelines through its Code of Ethics for Museums. This code encourages museums to consider the provenance of their collections and engage in dialogues with source communities about returning artifacts. By providing a platform for discussions and sharing best practices among professionals, ICOM promotes a more responsible approach to collecting that respects cultural heritage.
• What role does ICOM play in fostering international cooperation among museums regarding cultural heritage preservation?
  • ICOM fosters international cooperation among museums by creating a network that connects professionals from various countries to share knowledge and strategies for preserving cultural heritage. Through conferences, publications, and collaborative projects, ICOM encourages dialogue on best practices in conservation and education. This collaboration enhances understanding across borders about the importance of protecting cultural heritage while addressing ethical concerns regarding collections.
• Evaluate how ICOM's initiatives impact the relationship between museums and source communities concerning artifact ownership and ethical responsibilities.
  • ICOM's initiatives have significantly shifted the relationship between museums and source communities by emphasizing the importance of ethical responsibilities regarding artifact ownership. By advocating for repatriation and engaging museums in conversations with indigenous and local communities, ICOM encourages institutions to recognize historical injustices associated with colonial collecting practices. This has led to a more inclusive approach where museums work towards building trust with source communities, often resulting in collaborative efforts to manage cultural heritage responsibly.

Related terms

Repatriation:

The process of returning cultural artifacts or human remains to their country or community of origin, often driven by ethical considerations and historical injustices.

Cultural Heritage:

The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations, which includes sites, objects, practices, and knowledge that communities recognize as part of their cultural identity.

Ethics in Collecting: The principles guiding museum professionals in acquiring objects responsibly, ensuring that collecting practices respect the rights of source communities and adhere to legal and moral standards.