What is ICOM?

The International Council Of Museums is the global 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. ICOM was created in 1946 and is a non-governmental organisation maintaining formal relations with UNESCO. Today, the organisation has 21,000 members in 140 countries.

What is ICOM UK?

ICOM UK is one of 114 National Committees of ICOM around the world and represents UK museum professionals interested in international issues. The organisation is governed by an Executive Board, elected by the membership. The ICOM UK Board is open to all members of ICOM UK, for more information please see the ICOM UK Board pages.

Membership to ICOM UK allows access and voting rights in one of ICOM's 30 International Committees each devoted to the study of a specific museum-related discipline. Through the ICOM International Committees, ICOM achieves its major objectives, which are the exchange of information at an international level through established networks, the development of professional standards and the adoption of rules and recommendations.

ICOM UK works in partnership with African organisations, including the Centre for Heritage Development in Africa, Kenya and is supporting the establishment of the Ethiopian ICOM Committee. It also raises awareness of international issues such as combating illicit trade, intangible heritage and restitution. ICOM UK is involved in lobbying for the UK ratification of relevant UNESCO conventions for the protection of cultural heritage.