Museum Communications at a Crossroads: Empowering Our Communities in Times of Change and Crisis

The ICOM MPR 2024 Conference will explore the critical role that museums play in empowering communities during periods of upheaval and transformation. With a focus on in-person participation in the historic city of Tbilisi, this conference will address how museums navigate challenges such as demographic shifts, pandemics, climate change, cultural heritage destruction, and threats to democracy.

Key themes include:

• Community Resilience and Inclusivity: Strategies to ensure underrepresented groups have access to museum resources, programs, and opportunities, fostering a sense of value and inclusion.
• Fostering Dialogue and Collaboration: Innovative approaches to promote tolerance, respect, and community cohesion among diverse populations and generations.
• Promoting Civic Engagement: Initiatives that encourage active, informed civic participation and responsible citizenship within democratic societies.
• Creating Safe Spaces: Measures to facilitate open, respectful dialogue in safe environments for exchanging ideas and perspectives.
• Inspiring Responsible Action: The role of museums in motivating positive change to address issues such as pandemics, immigration, human rights abuses, and threats to democracy.
• Advancing Sustainable Development: Education and initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and regenerative development, addressing climate change impacts.

This conference will create an environment for participants to engage with keynote speakers, share best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance the impact of museums in times of crisis.

Please submit your abstracts here.