The new definition of museum approved this Wednesday by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) brings the expectation of a greater opening of these spaces to society, but there are those who lament the lack of skills.
The approval of the new definition obtained 92% of the votes of the participants of the extraordinary general assembly held at the ICOM conference that takes place until Sunday in Prague, Czech Republic.
Essentially, the new designation, which includes the previous one of 15 years, has been expanded with new concepts and “is in line with some of the biggest changes in the role of museums, recognizing the importance of inclusion, community participation and The sustainability. ”, according to a text published by ICOM on its official website.
This museum definition proposal was created in the last three years to be voted on as an alternative to another, presented in 2019, at the ICOM conference in Kyoto, Japan, generating intense controversy due to its character considered by some members as being too “ politician and activist”.
The almost unanimous acceptance of the new proposal in Prague is considered “historic” by Luís Raposo, also elected on Wednesday as a member of the ICOM board of directors, after two consecutive terms as president of ICOM-Europe, one of the divisions of this organization not sector government.
Contacted by the Lusa agency, the archaeologist stressed the importance of the new concept “because it should promote a greater opening of museums to society.”
The new definition, “maintaining the essentials of the previous one, opens many doors towards a greater opening of museums to society and the active involvement of communities in museum activity”, he maintained.
“A wide range of museums are now held that are often not even called museums, and are cherished by this definition,” added the now ICOM executive board member.
For her part, Marta Lourenço, president of the Committee for University Museums and Collections (UMAC) of ICOM, also in Prague, was pleased that the new concept of the museum resulted from “a much more participatory and inclusive process, without the controversy of three years ago”.
“The text of the new definition is much more moderate, balancing values, but also taking into account the practices and functions of museums. It is a great success,” the official, who is also director of the National Museum of Natural History and Sciences of the University of Lisbon (MUHNAC-UL), told Lusa.
Marta Lourenço also underlined the fact of having obtained “almost unanimity” at the conference, now creating the need to “formulate the definition for national legislation” of the 118 member countries of ICOM.
ICOM is the largest international organization of museums and museum professionals, created in 1946, dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the world’s tangible and intangible natural and cultural heritage, through best practice guidelines.
The approval of the new definition was also considered by the president of the Portuguese Association of Museology (APOM), João Neto, as “excellent news” and “a good definition, compared to the one that is being imposed in Japan”, three years ago. years.
Contacted by Lusa, the official said it was “a victory for common sense, but it still has a big gap.”
“There is still no paragraph on the necessary skills to perform functions in museum institutions,” he said.
João Neto added that it always seemed “serious for the professionals of museums, palaces and monuments that there is this gap in the definition of a museum, compared to other institutional/mission definitions, in which the reference to competencies is safeguarded” .
The new designation also introduces the concepts of ethics and sharing with the participation of the community, as well as the possibility of offering new and diversified experiences to visitors.
The ICOMs of Portugal, Brazil and Mozambique have already approved the translation of the new definition, Luís Raposo told Lusa.
The definition is as follows: “A museum is a permanent, non-profit institution, at the service of society, which investigates, collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. Museums operate and communicate ethically, professionally, and with the participation of communities, and provide diverse experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection, and knowledge sharing.”
Source: Observadora
