ICOM 2024 Symposium Explores Museums' Role in Evolving Communities

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in close collaboration with the UAE chapter of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-UAE), has announced the organization of the ICOM 2024 International Symposium. This event is a key part of the preparations for the 27th ICOM General Conference, ICOM Dubai 2025. Notably, the 2025 conference will be the first to be held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. It will take place in Dubai, further solidifying the city’s place on the global cultural map.

The ICOM 2024 International Symposium will be hosted at the Etihad Museum on November 12. This event will focus on a crucial theme: *‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.’* The symposium aims to explore the evolving role of museums in the face of rapid global change, reflecting Dubai's growing significance as a cultural hub. The event will delve into three interconnected topics within this overarching theme: Intangible Heritage, Youth Power, and New Technologies.

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These discussions will offer a platform for dialogue and intellectual exchange among local and international museum experts, as well as ICOM executive council members. They will also address how museums are navigating the challenges posed by the swift transformations happening worldwide.

The event will feature a series of keynote speeches and specialized sessions designed to spark meaningful discussions. Edward Rodley, the Co-Founder and Principal of *The Experience Alchemists (TEA)*, will deliver a keynote speech on *‘New Technologies.’* His address will explore how technology can either facilitate or obstruct museums in engaging with their audiences, a vital topic in the digital age.

Afterward, several experts will join in a panel discussion, including Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Education & Culture Officer and Chief HR Officer for Expo City Dubai; Dr. Simon Tanner, Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage at King’s College London; and Pablo Guayasamín Madriñán, Programme Coordinator in the Office of the Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO. These thought leaders will reflect on the strategic choices museums are making as they embrace technology. Their presentations will focus on how museums can effectively use digital tools to reach and engage diverse audiences, all while preserving authentic cultural expressions.

A significant part of the symposium will focus on safeguarding intangible heritage. His Excellency Dr. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, the Cultural Advisor to the UAE President and Chancellor of the UAE University, will lead discussions on the importance of preserving intangible heritage. He will be joined by His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Almusallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, and Alia Yunis, a Visiting Scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, DC (AGSIW), and a Visiting Associate Professor at NYU Abu Dhabi. Their conversations will center on how museums can protect and pass on the heritage and memories of communities, especially in the face of rapid societal changes.

In addition to these discussions, Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, an Emirati columnist, researcher, and Founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, will open a session on *Youth Power.* Al Qassemi will emphasize the importance of empowering youth to shape the museums of the future, a crucial consideration as museums adapt to the needs and aspirations of younger generations.

An interactive panel session will also invite prominent voices from the art world to explore cultural trends and their intersection with community engagement. The panel will feature art curator Munira Al Sayegh, Founder of Dirwaza Curatorial Lab, along with artist and curator Osemudiamen Ekore, Co-Founder of Bootleg Griot. Together, they will discuss how these cultural shifts are influencing museums' roles within their communities.

The symposium will also host training workshops, a first in ICOM’s history. Led by expert members of ICOM’s international committees, these workshops will cover a wide range of museum-related topics. Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in areas such as collection documentation, the role of local communities in preserving intangible heritage, and emergency planning for museums. These workshops will address crucial issues such as disaster preparedness, response strategies, and the transition to recovery in the face of crises.

The International Council of Museums (ICOM), established in 1946 under the umbrella of the United Nations, is a global organization focused on advancing the development and coordination of museums. With a membership of more than 50,000 specialists from nearly 120 countries and close to 20,000 museums worldwide, ICOM is at the forefront of cultural heritage advocacy. In April 2021, ICOM-UAE, in collaboration with Dubai Culture, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Tourism, successfully submitted the UAE’s bid to host the ICOM General Conference 2025 in Dubai. The city’s strong leadership in heritage preservation, alongside its innovative approach to developing the creative economy, made it the ideal candidate to host the prestigious event.

The ICOM 2024 International Symposium marks a key step in preparations for ICOM Dubai 2025, offering an exciting preview of what will be one of the most important cultural events in the region’s history.