ISS 25 (1995).pdf - The International Council of Museums

Dr. Eurydice in the paper 'Museums and Commuities : Coping with
Dilemmas' also holds museums as "socially significant institutions
responsible for responding sensitively to the messages emmitted by
post modern society." Dr. Eurydice holds that museums hold a key
position in the articulation of identities of the various communities.
Museums as social institutions shoulder the responsibility of exposing
its audience to other communities to create 'mutual respect. goodwill
and intentions ..... • This requires 'effective tools' that is. a stong
theoritical museological base which can develop well developed
strategies for the museum to be successful in its social mission of
integration of diverse cultures.
Grazyna Zaucha gives a detailed account of the present situation
prevailing in African Museums and stresses the need for practical
museum proarammes and African trained museum personnel, who are
competent. creative and committed to serve the African communities.
Jean Trudel in the paper 'Museums and Cultural Communities in Quebec'
emphasizes the importance of addressing to the needs and issues of the
various ethinic communities. Museum is a rendezevous for a dialogue
between various communities. " where the encounter between the
diversity of ethinic communities and the discovery of Quebec culture
and identity is facilitated through the insrument of its collection."
A similar line of thought can be discerned in the papers analysed
above. Most speak about the need to establish distinct identities of
the various communities the museum serves at the same time striving to
establish peace and harmony in the society as a whole.
Raymond Montpetit. Canada. writes about globalization of cultural
heritages and speaks of cultural heritages in its materialistic
adva.ntage as ' beina appropriated by tourism . '
Lynn Maranda, Vancouver Museum, Canada, gives interesting perspectives
of the relationship of the museum with the community it serves. The
paper brings out the intricate relationship the museum has with its
community. The museum helps its community to answer certain basic
questions such as Yho are we? ' 'Yhere do we come from? In
attempting to answer these basic questions the museum is able to help
the community define the purpose of our living and give shape to the
direction to our ambition . The museum helps in establishing the
identity of its various small communities at the same time' providing
a wide opinion to assit in the understanding of a national
population.'
This view is very important in understanding the museum
itsrelationship with the community/communities it serves . Museums
the responsibility of present ina the history of the community
'special social meanina ..... . . of the evolution.' A museum is
institution which is a powerful tool to effect changes desired by
group.
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