Qatar Museums Chairperson, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani delivering a speech at the opening of INTERCOM Doha 2023 Conference
The International Council of Museums (INTERCOM) Doha 2023 conference commenced yesterday, bringing together museum delegates from different parts of the globe for a three-day event focused on sharing expertise and exploring emerging developments in the museum industry.
In her opening remarks, Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said that the event is a “truly historical moment.”
“The conference marks the very first time that Qatar has been host to the International Committee for Museum Management, INTERCOM: one of the most important committees in the world for helping museum managers set standards and establish best practices.”
She also highlighted that museums are “democratizing.” “Museums are democratizing, inclusive, neutral, and spaces for dialogue on our past, present, and future. Our work engages a diverse range of communities to collect, preserve, research, interpret, exhibit, and enhance the understanding of our world — with the collective aim to contribute to human development and world peace.”
The conference will take place until May 9 at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) under the banner “The Future Museum. Framing the Skills and Mindsets of the Visionary Leader.” It is structured to three main themes: museum leader profile, key skills, and essential mindset of the leader; visions for the future based on a cross-cultural exchange of knowledge and experiences; and museum governance.
QM Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Musa Al Namla meanwhile said: “As the pre-eminent cultural institution in the region, QM plays a crucial role in driving change and serving as a role model for the museums sector. The conference provides an ideal opportunity to gain knowledge and insights from one another, and to extend a warm welcome to our colleagues from across the globe to experience our rich cultural heritage, dynamic contemporary art scene, and exceptional array of museums and galleries.”
“We are incredibly proud to be hosting Intercom Doha 2023 this week and to have the chance to bring together museum professionals from around the world in conversation, to discuss ideas and visions for the future. We look forward to showcasing our vibrant museum scene and sharing our experiences and perspectives on the future of museums with the international community,” Sheikha Amna Al Thani, Acting Deputy CEO of Museums, Collections and Heritage Protection, and Director of National Museum of Qatar said.
Dr. Goranka Horjan, INTERCOM Chairperson and Director of National Castle Trakoscan commended the hospitality of the NMoQ which is “housed in one of the most beautiful venues in the world.”
“As the desert rose inspired architect, we can also consider it as a symbolic compass for the post-pandemic museum scene in which vitality in harsh circumstances has become a new paradigm for professional life.”
On the first day of the conference, two sessions were held; the first session was led by Prof. Dr. Vlatka Arianna Hlupic, Professor of Leadership and Management at Hult International Business School, where she discussed “Profiling the leader. Key skills and future mindsets of the museum leader.”
Session two was led by Prof. Dr. PierLuigi Sacco, Professor of Economics at the University of Chieti-Pescara, Senior Adviser to the OECD, Paris, Research Afilliate at the MetaLAB at Harvard, wherein his speech delved on the topic: “Museums as platforms of behavioral change for societal challenges.”
