ICOM
is
the international organisation of museums and museum professionals
which is committed to the conservation, continuation and communication
to society of the world's natural and cultural heritage, present
and future, tangible and intangible.
Created in 1946, ICOM is a non-governmental organisation
(NGO) maintaining formal relations with UNESCO and having a consultative
status with the United Nations' Economic and Social Council.
As
a not for profit organisation, ICOM is financed primarily
by membership fees and supported by various governmental
and other bodies. It carries out part of UNESCO's programme
for museums. Based in Paris (France), the ICOM Headquarters
houses both the ICOM Secretariat and the UNESCO-ICOM
Museum Information Centre.
The
26,000 members of ICOM in 151 countries participate in the
national, regional and international activities of the organisation:
workshops, publications, training, twinning programmes,
and the promotion of museums through International Museum Day (May 18, annually).
The membership participates in the activities of 118 National Committees and 30 International
Committees. Some National Committees have also organised
on a regional level to reinforce their action.
ICOM is affiliated with 17 international associations.
The
ICOM Strategic Plan adopted by the General
Assembly is implemented by the ICOM Secretariat as well
as National and International Committees who contribute
to the realisation of ICOM's programmes.
ICOM's
activities respond to the challenges and needs of the museum
profession and are focused on the following themes:
- professional
cooperation and exchange
- dissemination
of knowledge and raising public awareness of museums
- training
of personnel
- advancement
of professional standards
- elaboration
and promotion of professional ethics
- preservation
of heritage and combating the illicit traffic in cultural
property
If
you are a museum professional and wish to become a member of ICOM, please contact the Membership
Service.
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Governing
Bodies
