On August 24th, 2022, in the framework of the 26th ICOM General Conference held in Prague, the ICOM Extraordinary General Assembly was held in a hybrid format, both online and in-person. A new museum definition was voted by representatives of national committees, international committees, and affiliated organizations. The result of a new Executive Board (2022-2025) has also been released.
ICOM has published “museum definition” 8 times and the existing version dates back to 2007. In Recommendation concerning the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections, their Diversity and their Role in Society approved by the UNESCO on November 17, 2015, the role of museum “in the service of society and its development” is listed in a certain value system. In 2016, with the establishment of the ICOM Committee for Museum Definition, Prospects and Potentials (MDPP) , a new round of museum definition revision was inaugurated and got attention from the museum sector around the globe. After three years of consultation and discussion globally, ICOM received 269 proposals in 2019 . At the 26th ICOM General Conference a new and inclusive museum definition has been voted as follows，
“A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.”
The conference also released results of a new Executive Board (2022-2025). Emma Nardi (Italy) has been elected as ICOM President. The Executive Board is the executive decision-making body of ICOM, consisting of 1 president, 2 vice president, 1 treasurer and 11 members.
Sources: Chinese Museums Association, Museum & Art News