This message was released in the ICOM Canada September 2019 e-newsletter on Cultural Diplomacy. See more articles from this issue here.
On behalf of the ICOM Canada Executive, I am excited to introduce our first issue of our new e-newsletter and tell you about ICOM Canada’s work in the area of Cultural Diplomacy.
It has been a busy year for ICOM Canada. In April we hosted our Annual General Meeting during the Canadian Museums Association conference in Toronto. At our AGM we said goodbye to two outgoing Board members (Dr. Viviane Gosselin and George Jacob) and welcomed two new Board members to the team (Leah Best and Dr. Karine Duhamel).
The Board has worked diligently in 2019 to launch our new website (www.icomcanada.org), re-energize our member communications, and prepare for the ICOM Triennial in Kyoto this September. ICOM Canada submitted a proposed change to the ICOM Definition of a Museum in May, and we look forward to continued discussion about the proposed definition. Please visit our website for the latest on the museum definition discussion.
A few Board members will represent ICOM Canada in Kyoto, including Michèle Rivet who is presenting “From Decolonization to Indigenization: The road to equality” as part of the “Decolonization and Restitution: Moving towards a more holistic perspective and relational approach” panel. ICOM Canada will also join ICOM US and ICOM Latin America/Caribbean for the Americas Breakfast Roundtable in Kyoto, a chance for us to connect with colleagues and discuss future collaboration.
This issue of our e-newsletter explores a theme of Cultural Diplomacy. The articles linked below highlight how Canadian museum professionals conduct global engagement activities that create mutual understanding and trust between nations, organizations and peoples through the work of museums.
ICOM Canada has promoted Cultural Diplomacy for many years, especially through the ICOM Canada International Achievement Award. This year, ICOM Canada presented the award to Catherine C. Cole, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Association of Museums and long-time international museum consultant during the CMA Awards Ceremony in April. Ms. Cole’s work has fostered and promoted Canadian museology internationally through mentoring emerging professionals; co-ordinating learning opportunities and exchanges; and joint projects with ICOM CAMOC (Collections and Activities of Museums of Cities), ICOM ICR (Regional Museums), and others. Ms. Cole is an excellent example of a Canadian museum professional who has made a mark on museology through international outreach and promoted the goals of cultural diplomacy.
I hope you enjoy this e-newsletter and our ongoing exploration of Cultural Diplomacy. I invite you to share this e-newsletter with your colleagues across Canada and encourage them to subscribe, become ICOM members, and consider submitting content to future issues. Safe travels to those of you joining us in Kyoto, and watch for more exciting updates coming soon. Thank you to all ICOM Members and ICOM Board members for their generous contributions to the important work of ICOM Canada.
Marie Lalonde
President
ICOM Canada