QMA celebrates International Museum Day

On the occasion of the International Museum Day, Qatar Museums Authority will be holding a conference highlighting the theme of the celebration for this year: “Museums in Changing World. New Challenges, New Inspiration”.  QMA will also be celebrating its new membership in the International Council of Museums, ICOM. The event will take place on Monday 21st May 2012 from 9 am to 3 pm at the auditorium of the Museum of Islamic Art.

Four international speakers will be participating in this event including ICOM President Dr Hans-Martin Hinz; Damodar Frlan, President of ICOM Europe; Ossama Abdel Meguid, director of Nubian Museum in Aswan; and Chedlia Annabi, Curator at the Museum of Carthage in Tunisia. The speakers will be discussing this year’s theme which is recognition that institutions and museums today exist in a field that is becoming increasingly fluid. They will be tackling as well the role of museums in our society, in an era of numerous changes since IMD 2012 is as much about museums growing and shaping their future, as it is about displaying and interpreting new issues like climate change, new media or social responsibility.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Nasser Al-Hammadi, Vice Chairman of ICOM Qatar National Committee, stated: “QMA is proud to be a member of the International Council of Museums and the ICOM Qatar National Committee and to host this conference.” He added saying: “QMA and ICOM share the commitment to the conservation, continuation and communication to society of the world’s historical and cultural heritage, including Qatari art and heritage. We invite all Qatari and local residents to be part of the IMD
2012 and to attend this conference.”

The ICOM established the International Museum Day in 1977 to encourage public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society.  International Museum Day activities focus on the importance of museums as a platform to spread and underscore knowledge, science and human heritage. It’s also a platform for cultural exchange and a means to preserve world heritage that will enhance cooperation between people and spread peace in the world.

About ICOM
ICOM was established over 60 years ago and continues to represent the global museum community, meeting international museum professionals’ needs worldwide. ICOM gathers almost 30,000 members worldwide and is made up of National Committees representing 137 countries and territories, as well as 31 International Committees that gather experts in museum specialties worldwide and conduct advanced research in their respective fields for the benefit of the museum community. ICOM draws on its international partners to fully achieve its mission, who collaborate to ensure the development of its activities in favor of museums worldwide.