Dear all, If one wants to sum up the imbalances of ICOM, I think it can - somewhat disrespectfully - be said that ICOM consists mainly of elderly individual museum professionals from the richer parts of Europe. As members we have too few young ones, too few institutions, too few from the less wealthy parts of the world, and too few from some regions of the world that constitute a bit of a world in itself. If we look at not only membership, but activity level, these characteristics become even more pronounced. Anyway, here are 5 points that may be followed up: 1) Mario Buculo writes: > I hope that in a group dedicated to young professional, will be > possible to > use all new technology to improve communication, sharing of ideas. > It is possible to organize video-chat, for example it will be > possible to > organize virtual-meeting where people in Europe, Asia and America > can meet > and share documents, idea, having chat-conference (Skype, AIM, > Ichat, MSM > etc). Using modern technology to be able to meet without travelling will help not only young professionals, but everyone who find it too costly to travel. Maybe a focus on low-cost use of modern communication technology for ICOM's national and international committees, as well as regional and affiliated organizations, could be something worth exploring in a (virtual?) seminar? 2) Vidar Hallén (ICDAD) writes: ICDAD has launched scholarships for young members. This year we give two scholarships at EUR 350 to two young Italians. This is a good idea that can be followed up by other international committees, directed at young professionals, at professionals from developing countries, or whichever target group the committee feels need strengthening. 3) Gary Edson writes: however, I believe the place to start with that initiative is at the national level as Mario proposes. National Committees can develop programs to attract younger members, underwrite group directed activities, and subsidize travel to ICOM meetings. It is the role of National Committees to represent the museums and museum professionals of the particular nation/state. So here is a challenge to the national committees. 4) and Gary writes further: ICOM instituted student membership to enlist those young persons entering the profession. The authorization process for student membership is regulated by the National Committee. Not least it is a challenge for the national committees to promote more the possibility of student membership. 5) Will it benefit young professionals to cooperate internationally within ICOM? I assume it would be extremely time consuming trying to identify whom of the 20.000 members of ICOM that are below the age of 40, but student members are an easily identified group. So, if student members want to, they can on their own initiative, as a start, establish an informal communication network of student members throughout ICOM where they can explore what needs student members have, as well as try to find or promote good possibilities for low cost participation in ICOM. kind regards Per Per B. Rekdal Executive Council member, ICOM Seksjonsleder/Head of department Utstillings- og publikumsseksjonen/ Exhibitions, Education and Public Services Kulturhistorisk museum, Universitetet i Oslo/ Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo P.b. 6762 St. Olavs pl. NO-0130 Oslo Tel. (+47) 22 85 99 61 Fax (+47) 22 85 99 60 Tlf sentralbord/reception (+47) 22 85 19 00 E-mail: [log in to unmask] www.khm.uio.no - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html