Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Minister for Education and Higher Education HE Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater inaugurated a three-day conference on ‘The Future of Museums and Museology Practices in a Changing World’ at the auditorium of the state-of-the-art Museum of Islamic Arts (MIA) on Sunday.
Qatar Museums, in association with the International Council of Museums - National Committee for Qatar (ICOM Qatar), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Committee for Museology (ICOFOM), and the ICOM-Arab Regional Alliance, is hosting the conference which will run until Tuesday, December 3.
Welcoming the speakers and experts on the occasion, Khater praised Qatar Museums authorities under the guidance and leadership of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for engaging in the fields of formal and informal education.
The minister stressed the keenness of Qatar Museums to enhance the concepts of cultural diplomacy, by building a growing network of museums and archaeological sites and organising various and events to enhance cultural identity.
Over the past years, Qatar Museums has proven its effective role in enriching the cultural scene. Museums have become an integral part of the effective educational space for youth, as they embody cultural values and ensure their preservation for future generations, she added.
In her address, Dr Fatema Hassan Al Sulaiti, director of International Cooperation and Government Affairs at QM and ICOM Qatar vice-chair, said: "We are honoured to host the international ICOFOM conference under the theme ‘The Future of Museums and Museology Practices in a Changing World.”
"This event reflects Qatar’s commitment to preserving heritage while advancing innovation and development in the cultural field. With the support of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, we continue to position Qatar as a leading nation and cultural beacon for the region and the world,” she said.
Prof Karen Brown, chair of ICOFOM, thanked ICOM Qatar and Qatar Museums for inviting to join this wonderful conference on the topic of The Future of Museums and Museology Practices in a Changing World.
She praised Qatar for holding the conference in the stunning Museum of Islamic Art, one of the places with the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world.She said that the conference has attracted an incredible response from the field, with participants from around the globe and especially from the Arab region.
"We are excited to learn from the distinguished talks and museum visits about the good practices of museums in our changing world, including the role of new technological innovations and sustainable development for museums,” Prof Brown added.
Jamie Allan Brown, ICOFOM treasurer and co-chair, ICOFOM Working Group on conference, also addressed at the opening session.
The delegates participating in the conference from around the world, shared their expertise and explore new developments in the field.
The speakers included Abdulla Yousuf Al Mulla, director of 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum; Alberto Garlandini, former president of ICOM - Museologist and expert in cultural heritage management; and Alissandra Cummins, director of the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, among other notable figures.
The conference aims to engage the youth in vital discussions and decision-making processes, underscoring the essential role of museums in addressing climate change and promoting diverse narratives. It will explore museology practices across the Arab region, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and educational models.
Topics will include the use of new technologies, co-curation, balancing historical perspectives, and sharing inter-generational knowledge.
The event aims to promote a sustainable museum sector, aligned with the United Nations Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).