Alberto Garlandini elected new president of ICOM

Alberto Garlandini, an Italian museologist and cultural heritage expert, has been appointed president of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), succeeding Suay Aksoy who resigned. Garlandini, previously ICOM vice president and president of ICOM Italia, will lead the organization during the post-lockdown phase. He announced that for the first time in ICOM's history, the advisory committee, national and international committee meetings, and the general assembly will be held via videoconference at the end of July due to COVID-19 measures. Garlandini has held various roles within ICOM since 2005, including president of ICOM Italia (2010-2014) and chair of the organizing committee for the 24th ICOM General Conference in Milan in July 2016. He has also served as Director General for Culture and Deputy Director General for Culture for the Lombardy Region (2008-2013) and president of the Fondazione Lombardia Film Commission (2011-2012). In 2015, he received the Certificate of Ambassador of Milan from the city. He is a member of the board of the Museo di Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, the national commission for the activation of the national museum system, and the scientific committee of the Fondazione Brescia Musei. Garlandini emphasized ICOM's commitment to UN sustainable development goals, social role of museums, diversity, inclusion, and combating inequality and racism.