ICOM 2016 Milan Conference: Museums as Agents of Social Change

The 24th ICOM General Conference took place in Milan from July 3-9, 2016, at the MiCo convention center, drawing 3,300 participants from 130 countries. The event, themed 'Museums and Cultural Landscapes,' explored the evolving role of museums in contemporary society. Italian Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini opened the conference, asserting that upholding cultural principles is a duty against terrorism. Key discussions included decolonization, migration, and the need for museums to move beyond neutrality. Notable speakers included artist Christo, who spoke about his installation 'The Floating Piers' on Lake Iseo, and Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, who advocated for museums focused on individual stories. Giusi Nicolini, mayor of Lampedusa, proposed a 'Museum of Trust and Dialogue for the Mediterranean' as a symbol of redemption. The conference also addressed the dichotomy between collection-oriented and people-oriented museums, the challenge of measuring cultural versus financial value, and the importance of security and heritage protection. ICOM, founded in 1946 under UNESCO, now has 36,000 members and 174 committees. The conference approved the 'Milan Declaration,' outlining new social commitments for museums toward cultural landscapes and communities. The next triennial conference is scheduled for Kyoto in 2019.