Revision of the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums – consultation webinars

The ICOM Standing Committee on Ethics (ETHCOM) invites ICOM members to attend the series of webinars for a third consultation in the revision of the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums.

  • Wednesday, September 13, 2023; 2:00 pm CEST – Brief overview of process and discussion of Topic Three: Education
  • Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 2:00 pm CEST – Brief overview of process and discussion of Topic Four: Collections and Research
  • Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 2:00 pm CEST – Brief overview of process and discussion of Topic Five: Governance and Leadership

The third consultation opened on June 16, 2023, and will extend until October 31, 2023.  It builds upon the results from the first two consultations (held in 2021 and 2022). Each of those provided key guidance to ETHCOM. Drawing upon that feedback, ETHCOM created the proposed outline of the revised Code that we now ask you to review.

The outline consists of a series of topics and statements that expand upon those topics. With your comments on the outline, ETHCOM will create a draft of the Code which will be subject to a consultation in 2024.
The revised Code itself will also begin with a preamble that introduces the document, followed by the museum definition. It will include an appendix that lists the international conventions that are relevant to museums (currently Principle VII).
 
ICOM UK members should send comments on the outline to ICOM UK at uk.icom.museum@gmail.com. ICOM UK will then submit the comments to the ETHCOM.

We want to get as broad a participation in this process as possible so that the revised Code of Ethics will provide guidance on the issues that the ICOM membership deems important now as well as in the coming years. We must work together to ensure that ICOM’s revised Code of Ethics for Museums expresses the values and ethical principles that underpin our professionalism so that we can maintain the trust that the public places in us and continue to be vital organizations for all.

@UK_ICOM