by Gina Koutsika
ICOM CECA
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is a non-governmental organization of museum professionals with the aim of sharing knowledge and developing professional standards at international level. Founded in 1946, ICOM has around 30,000 members from 137 countries, including 31 international committees. One such international committee is CECA, the Committee for Education and Cultural Action. With more than 1,500 members, CECA is also one of the largest committees within ICOM. Its members are professionals interested in research and practice in the fields of museum learning, public engagement and participation. Every year, ICOM CECA holds an annual meeting. In 2023 the host country was Singapore and I was fortunate enough to participate.
Learning from and with international colleagues
There is an intensity in being together with colleagues from around the world for a week, especially if you all reside in temporary accommodation in a foreign country. Normal, everyday preoccupations and routines, such as being up to date with politics, office life and family affairs are disrupted. How to navigate through unfamiliar surroundings and how to process new ideas become the new daily preoccupations. Unsurprisingly, the discussions outside the conference proceedings, over breakfast or dinner, were the most stimulating. Listening to how different cultures respond to the same ideas was so thought-provoking and I am so pleased, that last week, I did more listening than talking.
The conference papers
Deciphering the context of each presentation, and what might be applicable in our context in the UK was engaging. Being in South East Asia, gave me a unique opportunity to find out the most prevalent topics in that part of the world at the moment. The newly agreed updated definition of ICOM has empowered colleagues to revisit the concepts of inclusivity, accessibility, openness, education and enjoyment for their different communities. Old debates involving terminology (e.g. education versus learning), questioning the need of knowledge transfer, as well as new ones, around co-curation, power and gamification were aired in the sessions. I noticed that I was drawn to presentations that either reinforced what I already believe (need to ignite the imagination) or completely challenged my thinking (instilling citizenship).
Museum visits
Seeing how other cultures display and interpret collections fascinates me. Singapore has a number of well-presented exhibits, telling compelling stories through material culture. The Perakatan Museum and the Asian Civilisations Museum stood out for me. Not only did I enjoy the beauty of the displays, but I also learned a lot about that part of the world. What impressed me the most, though, were some of their social provisions. Toilets that accommodated all ages and abilities in most museums, the Calm Room, a sensory space for neurodivergent visitors in a prime location at the National Gallery, and the Reunion, a social space and café for the elderly at the National Museum. I took hundreds of photographs, made notes and got new ideas- all already shared with my current and ex colleagues.
Parks and nature
The Botanic Gardens of Singapore, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country, are renowned for their scientific collections and loveliness, but nothing had prepared me for such a multisensory, soothing, meditative sensation. The delicate patterns and variety of colours in the Orchids Gardens were breath-taking, and for that one hour I was there, the world seemed just fine.
Being reinvigorated
Chatting about museums and seeing the interest of the delegates in my work and in my ideas was a boost of confidence. After my presentation, the delegates wanted to find out about our work in the Ashmolean, and the changes I had brought to the organisation and many others desired to collaborate with us, being motivated by my “thinking, optimism, positivity and kindness” – responses that truly reinvigorated me. My job now is share this passion and energy with my teams at work, so that the benefits go beyond me to others.
Spirituality
My very first impression of Singapore was that it was like the US (an American colleague totally disagreed with my assessment). Over the week and even as I only very superficially scratched the surface, I believe that the people in Singapore celebrate their religious freedom and daily practice their spiritual traditions of kindness, consideration and love for mankind. I found the Pan-Orthodox Church, an small temporarily constructed room in the dining hall of an Educational Centre, where God was worshipped with deep devotion and piety. Listening to parts of Mass in six languages and being connected to others through praying and Holly Communion, was special.
Sense of uneasy
From my imperfect outlook, everyone I encountered in Singapore seemed very civilised. People were obeying all rules. There was no loiter, no litter, no crossing the road when the light is red, no shouting, no misbehaving, no social disruption. A couple of times, museum professionals mentioned how good their Government was, keeping the country clean and under control. Under control, it was – there were signs everywhere, specifying how to behave and how to feel. And there were fines, for those misbehaving, from chewing gum to crossing the road. Even though I cherished feeling safe and I admired the civic consciousness, I could not help having a sense of unease – a loss of individuality and collective, non-legal common sense.
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*Gina Koutsika
Director, Audience and Content, at the Ashmolean Museum, Trustee at the Jewish Museum London, Fellow at the MA, St Edmund’s Hall and the RSA, Governor at Gateway and Sunday School Lead at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of God’s Wisdom (Aghia Sophia). Previously, Director of the Young V&A, and Head of Team at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the Imperial War Museums, Tate, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Gina has served as an advisor or board member for a number of organisations, including ICOM, British Council, MA, VSA, VSG, Wellcome Trust, and the Museums and Heritage Show. She studied Education, Museology and Business Administration.
