|
World Federation of Friends of Museums European
Regional Meeting, Holmenkollen Park Hotel. Oslo, 18 February 2006
Present: Rosemary Marsh (1st Vice President, Europe, Chairman);
Marianne Andresen (President, Norwegian Federation of Friends of
Museums), Göran Groth (President, Swedish FFM), Jens Olufsen (
President ,Danish FFM,) Kirsten Heiberg (President,Friends of Folk
Museum, Oslo)Nina Tandberg (Folk Museum, Oslo) Axel Meyer, Board
member NFFM, Carol Bunbury (BAFM, South West Reg Co-ord), Nancy
Tennant (WFFM, Individual Member), Sue Drought McGowan (BAFM Int.
Ed, WFFM Individual Member). Marianne Roald Ytterdal, (President,
The Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments),
Apologies: Carla Bossi (President), Aristote Phrydas, (Past
President WFFM) Anna Grandi Clerici (Past President WFFM),Theirry
Verougstraete( President Belgian FFM) Jean Michel Raingeard
President (French FFM), Ellen Julia (Delegate French FFM), Ana Luisa
Declaux, (Spanish FFM)Geoffrey Williams (Chairman, BAFM), Elizabeth
Mackenzie (BAFM International Rep), Maureen Beary Ryan (National
Gallery of Ireland), Julia Oh (WFFM -ICOM Representative), Sue Hall,
(WFFM Individual Member) Robin and Norah Dunbar ( WFFM Individual
Members)
1. Nurturing relationships with non members
Various options were discussed as to the best way to connect with
countries in Europe that have either not developed support
organizations, or whose support organizations might find it useful
to know more about WFFM. In particular, the old Eastern Bloc (EB)countries
where such support groups and volunteering were not general.
International Council of Museums (ICOM), the European Network of
National Heritage Organisations (ENNHO), Europa Nostra and the
Diplomatic services have already got contacts, and they might be
willing to share information. A wide variety of businesses have
offices in the EB and their staff and families coming from the West,
might be good contacts, the companies might also be a source of
funding.
It was agreed that :
1. a database of contacts should be set up;
2. Relevant EB Seville bursary winners should be asked for their
views;
3. each country should Œadopt¹ a country where there was already a
tradition of contact, e.g. the Scandinavian countries could start a
Baltic community;
4. Consider reciprocal membership;
5. encourage our friends/relatives living in the EB area to make
contact with the management of their favoured museums if no Friends
organization was in place;
6. where a particular museum or cultural site of any kind was under
threat, they might be glad especially glad if a group of supporters
could be set up. It should be remembered that support organizations
in the EB may be seen as sinister propaganda machines.
2. New project with ICOM
In the unavoidable absence of Julia Oh, the Chairman gave a brief
synopsis of Julia¹s presentation to ICOM on the subject of the
threats to the environment and historic sites through cultural
tourism. A joint ICOM/WFFM working party has been set up ,chaired by
the Director of the Berlin .Museum and it is hoped that progress
will be made before the next ICOM Triennial Congress to be held in
Vienna in August , 2007. Discussion showed that those present were
in favour of WFFM setting out a Œcode of visiting¹ which could
encourage visitors to be more aware of the damage caused, and
possible ways of reducing the impact of their visit. It is
recognized that damage will occur, but not all objects can be locked
away in a safe atmosphere. ICOM felt that this should be a gradual
learning curve, but the meeting felt that there should be an
immediate Œenjoy not destroy¹ campaign led by Friends:
1. providing information, protective footwear, clothing, gloves etc.
;
2. when to touch and when not to touch or sit on objects new
museum visitors may need to be taught how to behave . Œdo not touch¹
notices all over the place are not very welcoming;
3. safe rubbish disposal (including taking it home);
4. walking on directed paths.
3. Promoting WFFM what does it do? What should it do?
WFFM has
… a Congress every 3 years in a different city/country/region so as
to be within reach of as many member countries as possible at some
time. This is open to all Friends of Museums;
… An annual Council Meeting and General Assembly, also in a
different location each year, open to Council Members, their spouses
and Individual Members;
… Newsletter, twice a year;
… Publications :Code of Ethics, approved by ICOM and How to Start a
support organization.
… 30th Anniversary Book: Donations
It was agreed that the 500$ subscription can be a considerable part
of the budget of a member Federation therefore its worth needs to be
demonstrated.
WFFM needs to communicate better -
1. An e-bulletin should be developed with links for further
information A single page Letter from the President ,mailed to
members, could include an event list and links to web for further
information;
2. Success depends on internet/web editor and newsletter editor and
all members sending regular updates;
3. members should send information/dates/articles to WFFM (who
should be asking for it), possibly in own language through link (see
2). Web editor gives brief intro to link no re-writing nor
editorial;
4. Producing information in several languages can be high risk, care
must be taken with this question;
5. more efficient introductions and categories of museums should be
developed so that contacts can be made more easily. (Name of museum,
town/city, and core collection). It was recognized that Friends of
Œspecialist¹ museums probably already had their own international
network;
6. scholarships widen, follow up, and support their endeavours;
7. more effective contact with existing non member
museums/associations (there seems to be no WFFM promotion nor
details of how to join);
8. WFFM should ensure that information about its existence and
activities is widely available, not only on the internet needs
a) more personal contact meet and exchange ideas
b) Culture is a weapon against poverty. Culture is a tool of peace
- wars destroy culture.;
9 Consider ways of
a) making the poor aware of their cultural identity, traditions,
self respect
b) giving jobs in restoration work
c) making souvenirs
d) building up little groups
e) set up projects for poor young.
10. Local/Regionals need back- up from the WFFM HQ when going into
new countries, i.e. general information about aims and objectives,
contact details, newsletters;
11. Sponsors to be followed up/encouraged encouraged to produce
articles for magazines self interest is a great incentive;
12. . Q - Is there money to help support founding ?(s) in another
country? A - Not at the moment. Consider. There is the European
Union they have the funds, but accessing them can take
considerable effort and expense. Group together to make application.
Perhaps get someone from the EU to come and explain and WFFM Europe
make a manual)
13.. Q what is the role of the Individual Member? A most are past
council members , spouses, travelling companions and others
interested in keeping in touch with WFFM activities, including
attending the social programmes organized during the Council
Meetings at various international locations. There is no specific
role at the moment. Q is there a role that the Individual Member
could undertake? A this should be investigated further. WFFM needs
all the help it can get.
4. Preparation for Annual Meeting in Chile 2006, and Singapore 2007
It was unlikely that there would be a large representation of member
groups from the EU due to the distance and cost of travel. Therefore
the meeting would like to pull together suggestions from the meeting
to bring to the Council¹s attention for consideration at the meeting
in Chile. It would be necessary for each Federation to send its
Report (one page if possible)and nominate a proxy, in advance, to be
presented to the General Meeting. Singapore may seem a less onerous
journey, and it would be good to have a further ER meeting
beforehand so that progress could be defined and reported.
5. Exchange of news, views, successes, problems
a) Insurance cover for Friends
The question of Friends groups visiting private homes and
collections was discussed, particularly responsibility and insurance
should there be an accident or object broken. (BAFM has a Public
Liability and Personal Accident insurance scheme which is taken out
by most member groups) and is incidentally, a source of income for
BAFM.
b) Copies of the BAFM Newsletter not going to Norway/Sweden/Denmark
(and possibly others) BAFM to consider how this may be addressed;
c.) Budapest had made contact before the Congress in Seville.
BAFM South West are organising cultural exchange and setting up an
exhibition with one of the SW museums.
d). The possibility of having a ŒFriends Day/Afternoon¹ of the
week/month when any Friend can come was discussed. Could reciprocal
membership work? This day could be the same over Europe.
e) It would be desirable for WFFM to extend the criteria for
sponsorship to attend Congresses not necessarily on educational
merit but consider those who have expertise in, say, the
environment, security, health & safety etc.
At the close of a useful discussion the ŒNordic Group¹ invited
the WFFM ER to a meeting in 2007 or 2008, venue to be decided after
contacts with Baltic countries had been set up.
RM/SD
26/02/06 |
