Museum diplomacy in action at ICOM UK 2026: museums in a changing world

This article was first published by blooloop.

ICOM UK, the UK’s only museum alliance with an international focus, hosted its annual conference in Oxford, bringing together delegates from over 20 different countries to explore the theme of Museum Diplomacy.

The conference posed a timely question: what role can museums play when the democratic frameworks they operate in are breaking down?

Dr Christian Baars, co-chair of ICOM UK, gave an opening address that set the tone for the conference, emphasising the situation that the museum and heritage sector finds itself in.

“In many cases, diplomacy happens behind closed doors,” he said, adding, “trust does not necessarily develop through media stories”. He explained that the conference was an opportunity for open and honest conversations and the sharing of best practises and lived experiences.