Hi,
I'm doing my AMA with the Museums' Association in UK. My project is based on the Code of Ethics and the changing world of museums.
A shortened version of my approved project is ''I would like to continue exploring the issues that museums have in implementing the Code of Ethics and try to understand why they do or don’t, and what they want.
Will they adhere to one if each museum was allowed to create their own under guidelines, and register it at an organization (ICOM, UNESCO, AAM etc) or would they come together country wide and create what they know is feasible, given the country’s sustainability? Or are they happy following what ICOM and MA and UNESCO have laid out for them?.....It is difficult to know what the impact will be but my hope is that no matter what organisation reads my report, they will understand that the Code of Ethics is important, and that there can be a way for museums to follow it without interference from politics, history, lack of funding or environmental issues''
Given that digital media, digital open source, wars, finance, politics environment etc are affecting museums all the more now, what is your views on how your museums are able to uphold the Code of Ethics? (I promise no one will get into trouble if they say they are tempted to sell an object for cash .. :-p Just don't do it. Northampton Museum selling of the Sekhemka statue is an example )..
Do you have a problem implementing the Code of Ethics? Would you call for a revamp, or would you be willing to change certain aspects of it?
Do you think that ICOM should regard the Code of Ethics a slightly pliable for certain countries, giving their global situations? At least 15 museums in City History Museums and Research Network of Europe have been asking for an addendum to the Code of Ethics for their own countries.
This is an American Museum forum..and I quite understand the next few years are very unsure.. I need your worries and concerns, if any, about upholding the Code of Ethics here.
I travel between India and UK. India has no Code of Ethics..they walked out on ICOM. Corruption...oh yes..sure. I was in fact uncovering pocketing of funds, when I was told what may be a possible out come. Not a friendly one for sure.
I throw this discussion open to the winds...
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Rosie Daswani
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