Author: michael

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Join us in Terra Expo-City Dubai

We invite you to join ICOM COMMS & ICOM AVICOM on November 15 at Terra, Expo City, Dubai, where technology meets sustainability.

Hear about Terra’s global marketing camaign and COMMS activities!

Embark on an exclusive journey behind the scenes of one of the world’s most sustainable and technologically advanced museums in the world!

Explore beekeeping, urban biodiversity, sustainable architecture and immersive experiences!

Don’t miss AVICOM’s 2025 International Media Festival FAIMP 2.0 and networking reception!

All inclusive round-trip bus transportation, coffee & lunch.

Register now: https://dubai2025.icom.museum/international-committees-day

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Great Response: 1st Webinar jointly organized by ICOM COMMS and ICOM AVICOM

Webinar: Museums and Social Media: Power, Politics, and Purpose in the Digital Age

How can museums stay authentic, ethical, and connected in an increasingly digital world?

That question guided “Navigating Current Challenges in Museum Social Media: Power, Politics & Social Media Posts,” a webinar jointly organized by ICOM COMMS and ICOM AVICOM. The session brought together museum professionals from around the globe to reflect on how digital communication is reshaping cultural engagement.

Lara Corona, PhD, member of AVICOM, had organized the program.

Dr. Michael Faber (Chair of ICOM AVICOM) and Dr Debora Ziska (Chair of ICOM COMMS) opened the event by framing the discussion around collaboration and transparency in the museum sector. They highlighted that social media has become a crucial arena for museums, not only for visibility, but for trust, dialogue, and accountability. Their introduction set the tone for a lively exchange about responsibility and innovation in the digital age.

With regards to speakers, Diego Vaz Bevilaqua (PhD, Deputy Director of Cultural Heritage and Science Communication, Chair of ICOM Brazil) reflected on the lasting impact of COVID-19, explaining how the pandemic transformed museums into digital lifelines and emphasizing empathy and accessibility as ongoing priorities.

Ech-Cherki Dahmali (Chair, ICOM Arab; Director, Telecom Museum, Morocco) explored activism and ethics in online communication, describing how Arab museums navigate cultural sensitivities while using digital tools to expand access and representation.

Mayki Gorosito (Immediate Past Director of ESMA Memory Site Museum, Former Clandestine Centre for Detention, Torture and Extermination, Argentina) highlighted how museums of memory use social media to keep human-rights histories visible and emotionally resonant.

Daniel Pett (Director of Digital Strategy and Operations, Westminster School, UK) addressed the practical realities of digital governance and institutional alignment, while Saskia Randle (Senior Design and Curatorial Associate, Climate Museum NYC) showcased creative storytelling as a pathway to climate awareness and collective action.

Together, the speakers underscored that social media is more than a communication tool. It is a shared space of learning, empathy, and responsibility that connects museums and communities across the world.

Watch the full discussion here: https://youtu.be/50IN-D54q-k?si=sv6sPIqMi_AjKl00

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Current State of Digitization across Kenyan Museums: A Study by AVICOM for MONDIACULT 2025

Digital Heritage Transformation in Kenya: A Comprehensive Assessment of Museum Digitization Capacity and Strategic Recommendations

published in the Digital Library of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2025

Please find below a link to this new study by AVICOM:

M25-Technical-paper-Cultural-stakeholder-individual-AVICOM-rev

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ICOM COMMS and ICOM AVICOM Webinar Series

 

ICOM COMMS and ICOM AVICOM present the first webinar:

NAVIGATING CURRENT CHALLENGES IN MUSEUM SOCIAL MEDIA: POWER, POLITICS & SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

October 23, 2025, 6 pm CET / ZOOM online

Museums today are not only custodians of culture but also active agents in shaping public discourse online. Yet, they face increasing political pressures, censorship, and the rapid evolution of AI and digital platforms.

The webinar explores:

  • Museums’ independence in the digital sphere
  • Power, politics and government influence on communication
  • Social media as both amplifier and risk zone
  • Ethical practices, synthetic media and inclusivity

Speakers:

Diego Vaz Bevilaqua, PhD, Deputy Director of Cultural Heritage and Science Communication, Chair of ICOM Brazil

Ech-cherki Dahmali, PhD, Director of Telecom Museum, Morocco, Chair of ICOM Arab

Lic. Mayki Gorosito, Immediate Past Director of ESMA Memory Site Museum, Former Clandestine Centre for Detention, Torture and Extermination, Argentina

“Museological Ethics and the Digital: What Are We Doing for the Planed and Our Crowd?”: Daniel Pett, PhD, Director of Digital Strategy and Operations, Westminster School, UK

“Art, Learning and Empowerment for Climate Progress”: Saskia Randle, Senior Design and Curatorial Associate (digital presence), Climate Museum, New York

Moderators:

Lara Corona, PhD, Researcher; Director Rosas Museum (former UNESCO Global Geoparks), Italy

Sergio Manuel Rivera, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, MIDE Museo Interactivo de Economia, Mexico

Save the date and join us via Zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/98252853559

 

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Why we talk about Sustainable Communities: Take part in our survey!

ICOM-SUSTAIN + ICOM-AVICOM Workshop Dubai 2025

The present Survey has been set up in order to better understand the point of view of our Members and Communities on the topic Why We Talk About Sustainable Communities (digital and online) and their Importance in the Cultural Sector. ICOM-SUSTAIN and ICOM-AVICOM will address this topic during the Workshop Session C1 on 13 November 2025, 14.30-16:00.

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AVICOM Board: Extended Call for Candidacy

Dear Member of AVICOM:

Due to circumstances beyond the control of AVICOM, we are extending the period that AVICOM members in good standing may submit their credentials for candidacy to the AVICOM Board. This will allow AVICOM members who did not receive the initial Call for Candidacy an opportunity to submit their application and credentials. Please note that if you have already submitted your application, you do not need to re-submit it. This extension period is only for people who have not previously submitted their application and credentials in the initial Call for Candidature.

We are arriving at the end of the term for the current members and officers of the AVICOM Board. The regular term for a Board member is three (3) years. The election and installation of the new Board will coincide with the AVICOM General Assembly to be held in Dubai in November.

There are nine (9) Board positions available: Chairperson (1), Vice- Chairperson (1), Secretary (1), Treasurer (1) and Ordinary (At-Large) Members (5). Those among you who wish to be a candidate to serve on the AVICOM Board are asked to submit, before 13 September, 2025, a completed candidature form as well as a biography of 10 lines (maximum length), a CV and a recent photo. You must also indicate which Board Position you wish to be considered for: Chairperson (1), Vice-Chairperson (1), Secretary (1), Treasurer (1) or Ordinary (At-Large) Member (5). Applications without a specific Board position identified will be invalid.

These applications will be collected and validated by the Election Officer.

The candidate must be compliant with and agree to the following qualifications and conditions:

Condition 1: The nominee must be a member of AVICOM in good standing at the time of their candidature and current in the payment of his or her ICOM membership dues for 2025.

Condition 2: The nominee must be willing and able to serve as a member of the AVICOM Board. The candidate must acknowledge that he or she will be responsible for all expenses, including travel, related to his or her position if elected. For planning purposes, you should assume physical attendance to at least two Board meetings per year. Typically, the June meeting is held in Paris in conjunction with the ICOM General Assembly and a Fall meeting is held in another city, usually in Europe. In addition, there may be other meetings, symposia and conferences that will require your attendance.

Condition 3: Existing Board Members who are serving their first term can be nominated and elected to one (1) additional term for a total of two (2) consecutive terms. A member of the Board may be subsequently elected as Chairperson for a maximum of two (2) additional term

Condition 4: The following individuals are ineligible for membership of the AVICOM Board:

  • Individuals employed by the ICOM Secretariat or one of its committees.
  • Former employees of the ICOM Secretariat or one of its committees. These individuals shall be ineligible for two (2) years after the expiry or termination of their contract. “Employee” refers to an individual who carriesout functions for the ICOM Secretariat or one of its committees and who receives compensation for these functions.

Election calendar

    • Extended Call for candidates: to 13 September 2025.
    • List of candidates sent to the voting members: 15 September 2025.
    • Opening of online voting: 15 September 2025. Please note that there may be two elections held simultaneously. ICOM now requires that the Chairperson be elected via a separate ballot.
    • Closure of voting: 30 September 2025.
    • Election and Installation of the new Board: At the AVICOM General Assembly in Dubai in November 2025.

We should also note that, according to the Internal Rules that govern AVICOM, no more than two Board Members may be from any one Country. If more than two individuals from any one country are nominated, only the two individuals with the greatest number of votes shall be eligible to serve. Also, if you are currently on the Board, you can only occupy the same position for two consecutive terms. If you are in this category, you must apply for a different position on the Board.

Applications are to be sent by e-mail to:

Bob Haroutunian bob@ppiconsulting.net

Election Officer for the election of the Board members of AVICOM for 2025- 2028