I hope all of you have had wonderful Holidays and started 2000 with the best feelings ever. For me, those two months have been a period of hard, stressing work and I barely had chance to acknowledge Christmas, the end of the year and the advent of 2000 - except for the 31st of December, when I could assist to unforgettable 25 minutes of fireworks seen from Copacabana beach. But on January 03 I had to restart working and this entire marvel already seems far away in the past. On vacation since January 18, I am taking my time to update ICOFOM matters – and my first concern is to inform about ICOFOM 99 and other activities of our Committee, as well as take care of the Call for Papers for ICOFOM 2000.  

1. ICOFOM 99 / ICOFOM LAM 99 

The Annual Conference of ICOFOM has taken place in Coro, Venezuela, together with the VIII Regional Meeting of ICOFOM LAM. It was a rather interesting event, attended by more than 40 colleagues from 11 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Margarita, Norway, Peru, Venezuela. Anamaria Reyes and her staff at the Center UNESCO/Coro made all possible efforts to receive ICOFOM in a suitable way, and they certainly succeeded: throughout the week we could experience how a small community in Northwest Venezuela deals with culture as a whole, and specifically with Museology. Very much involved in the warm ways by which our Venezuelan friends receive their guests, we ate all kinds of typical dishes, visited many museums and art exhibitions, assisted to a variety of musical presentations (from classic music to the folklore of the mountains) and danced at the irresistible beat of the Caribbean drums – accompanied by poets, writers, musicians, researchers, philosophers, specialists in heritage. Coro and La Vela form a community of intellectuals and artists, and they offered us a unique sample of their best. 

As for the scientific side of the conference, it was a good experience to work, once more, together with ICOFOM LAM. Very much interested in the interfaces between Museology and Philosophy, ICOFOM members from the Latin American region presented very good papers, which will be printed soon. As for ISS no. 31, Hildegard Vieregg very competently edited it in Germany, – such a good work that she has already been ‘invited’ to edit ISS for ICOFOM 2000. Hildegard achieved the unbelievable task of taking dozens of ISS to Venezuela, at her Institute’s expense; there, they were distributed to each paying participant and to the authors which papers were included in the issue – and sold to others. Since Venezuela made a point in producing a book for the ICOFOM LAM meeting, ISS no. 31 included papers mostly related to Museology and Philosophy – while the ICOFOM LAM book will be produced with the papers related to its specific theme: Museology, Philosophy and Identity in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Yet all papers produced were distributed in the first two days of the Conference – enabling each participant to read and discuss the ideas concerning the two approaches of the theme. Based on the provocative paper by Bernard Deloche (in French, with a summary in English), the quality of most papers excelled. Enlightened by the analytical summaries presented in Spanish by Monica Gorgas (Argentina) and in English by Hildegard Vieregg (Germany), and with the conferences given by colleagues from Venezuela and other countries in the region, participants organized themselves in three groups, one English/French-speaking and two Spanish-speaking groups – all of them in charge of discussing the whole thematic of the event. Spanish speaking participants discussed in depth the sub-themes proposed, while the anglophone/francophone group had the opportunity to re-discuss some of the main trends of museum theory. The main ideas discussed and their conclusions may be read in the document entitled ‘Summary of the ideas on Museology and Philosophy presented and discussed by ICOFOM', which will be sent to you very soon and then printed in ISS no. 32, together with the proceedings of the conference. 

1.1 - Project – Basic Terms and Concepts for Museology 

Coordinated by André Desvallés, the session on Basic Terms and Concepts for Museology was a great success. With the providential help of Jean François Hocquard and his data show, André made a practical demonstration of the ‘state of the art’ of the research on Terminology. The drafted Thesaurus, already presented in plenary to ICOFOM, in France (97) and Mexico (ICOFOM-LAM 98) was again presented to the audience, with the improvements added up to November 12. André reported that the French idiom group is developing its work with the help of Bernard Deloche and François Mairesse. On the part of Latin America, Nelly Decarolis reported that Norma Rusconi (unable to attend the Conference, due to health problems) is coordinating the work in the region, with responsible people appointed in different countries; studies are being done mostly in Spanish. As for the Portuguese speaking group, I have mentioned again the difficulties of developing such work in Brazil, due to the fact that most museum specialists interested in Terminology are CIDOC members, and develop their research within the Information Science field. I once more suggested that ICOFOM and CIDOC work together in this project. 

The data show technique enabled the whole audience to take active part in the debates, asking questions, discussing details of the methodology, making comments and suggesting improvements. It was by far the best session on Terminology that ICOFOM has had since the beginning of this project in Greece, 1993. Many of the present colleagues became interested in participating and joined the LAM network on Terminology. Considering that in 2000 ICOFOM will work with the Intangible Heritage, it was suggested – and approved – that from November 99 to June 2000 the Terminology Working Group will be dedicated to the study of terms and concepts related to Heritage, Patrimony and equivalents – in French, English, Spanish and other idioms that might be of interest of specific countries.  

1.2 - Projects – Museology in societies undergoing political change/ International Chair on Museology and World Heritage - ISSOM 
Vinos Sofka provided the audience with a comprehensive overview of the projects under his responsibility – which now seem to be reaching a good phase, with more attention on the part of ICOM and UNESCO. Vinos is a fighter, and we all wish he really succeeds in strengthening those projects. His main interest, at the moment, is obtaining support for such projects, not only in what refers to financing, but political support as well – and that includes organizing a worldwide network of countries directly associated to them.  

1.3 - Membership 

Hildegard Vieregg offered the audience a resume of the main points concerning ICOM and the ICOFOM membership. It was a pleasure to acknowledge, by the middle of the week, that more than 10 colleagues had applied as new members of ICOFOM - nine of them wishing to become voting members. One of our goals concerning membership is to enlarge the number of voting members in the Committee, in the moment summing about 1/3 of the total (that means, of the 1500 members we receive only a percentage of the payment of 500 members – but have almost the same responsibility concerning 1.000 other persons). 

1.4 - ICOFOM LAM 

Nelly Decarolis resumed her work in ICOFOM LAM, which certainly deserves to be a Subcommittee of ICOFOM. In her first year without my direct help in the coordination of the region, she has excelled in reinforcing the network of very active members in different countries of the region. Coordinators were appointed in Mexico, Ecuador and Venezuela; in Argentina, she counts with the collaboration of some very loyal colleagues, who help develop ICOFOM LAM not only in the country but also in the whole region. Nelly is a fighter herself, and we may count with her to help ICOFOM in all ways. But this year we must thank her specially: for it was an act of courage to accept ICOFOM to meet together with ICOFOM LAM, with such a short time span as July-November 99 to reorganize a conference that has previously been organized to attend only one region. We owe to Nelly – and to Anamaria Reyes – the possibility of organizing our Annual Conference in 99. 

1.5 - ICOFOM System of Communication / Home Page 

The new design of the ICOFOM Home Page, created in Brazil by Patricia Branco, at no cost to ICOFOM, was officially presented to the participants – in data show - and approved in plenary. It was informed that the page is getting ready to be put in the Internet – depending only of available time of this President to complete the information that must be added to some of its ‘rooms’. During 99 we have requested that members declared if they wished or not to have their addresses in the page – and a great majority answered yes! While the page does not appear on line with its new format, we will be still feeding the actual page, with the help of John Gjestrum. 

It was also informed that more than 1/3 of the whole ICOFOM membership is already included in the ICOFOM address book, and thus will be receiving correspondence only through the net. Our goal for 2000 is to complete the list with as much emails as possible: ICOFOM has absolutely NO BUDGET for copying and mailing correspondence to more than 1500 members in 99 countries. This is a very hard job to accomplish – one that requires constant updating and checking. But, with the help of our members, we are slowly succeeding in updating ICOFOM’s communication system. 

To actualize the data on our communication net, I am attaching to this Newsletter a page to be filled with fresh information about home and professional addresses of members. Those who have already sent such information in 99 please do not consider it. But those of you who have changed addresses or emails after March 99, please fill it and return it to me, as soon as possible – by email (if possible) or by fax or postage.  

1.6 – Subjects voted and approved by ICOFOM   

The following subjects were presented, voted and approved in the closing plenary session of ICOFOM 99: 

1. the establishment of a working group on Museology and Exhibition -

proposed by Jean François Hocquart, France; he also proposed that the new group be named Muséologie et Expologie – which raised the problem of terminology, since this term is not used in other idioms. Those who wish to join the new group, please contact icofom@iname.com. 

2. from 99 on, all publications belonging to ICOFOM will be indexed, according to international standards –

some of the volumes published in previous years will be republished, whenever possible, also indexed. This is a must, if we intend to be seriously taken into concern by the academic field. 

3. whenever possible, ISS and other books produced will be copydesked –

Ann Davis, from Canada, offered to help with copydesk in English. We must find somebody to help with copydesk in French. Nelly Decarolis will keep responsibility for copydesk in Spanish, and I will do it in Portuguese. 

4. The institution of a contribution on the part of non-voting members of ICOFOM -

Since nothing is perfect, we did have some problems during the Conference – especially with the lack of simultaneous translation, which had been promised by the organizers and was ardently expected by the English and French speaking colleagues. There was a lot of complaint on the matter, and they were right. We were ‘saved’ by the goodwill of some colleagues – among which Suzanne, Vinos’ wife, who made consecutive translation of some plenary sessions. But discussions were very much jeopardized, not only during the plenary sessions, but also in the discussion groups. We were also helped by Jean François Hocquard, a new ICOFOM member who joined our conference for the first time, and brought a nice visual equipment that made us conclude that even a theoretical committee needs a little bit of imaging once in a while... The images of the conference, made available through the net, were made with the help of Jean François’ digital camera. Another problem was the constant changes in the program, which in the first days Nelly, Hildegard and myself tried to solve, with no results. We did have all the time we needed for our activities, but of course colleagues from outside South America are NOT used to this kind of procedure and felt very angry sometimes. 

And last, but not least – we have regretted the absence of many members of our Board, mainly those we had expected to see there: Martin Schaerer (who sent a nice letter explaining his absence); Anita Shah and Nao Oumarou. We also missed those who (we know) wished to come and have stated it in writing, but could not make it at the last moment: Hernan Crespo Toral (UNESCO), Mathilde Bellaigue (France), Gunilla Cedrenius (Sweden), Ana Labrador (Philippines), Oscar Centurión (Paraguay), Norma Rusconi and Liliana Boriolli (Argentina), Odalice Priosti and Márcio Rangel (Brazil), Luis Repetto (Peru), Moraima Clavijo (Cuba), Alessandro Signi (Venezuela) and many others.  

In the last day of the Conference, homage was paid to Vinos Sofka, by ICOFOM and ICOFOM LAM – in recognition for his outstanding achievements concerning ICOFOM and towards the development of Museology.  

The proceedings of the 99 Conference will be published in ISS no. 32, edited in Germany by Hildegard Vieregg. Notice will be given about this publication.  

ICOFOM LAM 2000 

The plenary of ICOFOM 99 has also approved the program for the IX Regional Meeting of ICOFOM LAM, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, together with MINOM and the II International Meeting of Ecomuseums. This conference is under the responsibility of Nelly Decarolis and is being organized by Odalice Priosti - an ICOFOM voting member, recently elected Secretary of MINOM – with the help of the authorities of the City of Rio de Janeiro. Theme: Museology and Sustainable Development. Date: May 17 – 20, 2000. Detailed information (in Portuguese) about this conference may be obtained in the home page of the Ecomuseum of Quarteirão = http://quarteirao.com.br. A special correspondence will be made for ICOFOM LAM members in Spanish. Members outside the region who are interested in participate of this conference may write to Nelly Decarolis – Decarolis@impsat1.com.ar. The deadline for presentation of papers is February 27, 2000. 

CONFERENCE ICOM/LAC AND WORKSHOP UNESCO: MUSEUMS, HERITAGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 

The event was organized in Asunción by ICOM Paraguay, from December 11 to 16 - sponsored by UNESCO and the government of Paraguay – and counted with the presence of around 25 people from ICOM and UNESCO. Countries represented were: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and France. Very well organized, the conference was enlightened with the presence of the main cultural authorities of the country, which discussed the theme in its political, economic and cultural aspects. ICOFOM has participated by invitation of Oscar Centurión, ICOM President of the country – who asked me to talk about ICOFOM in the ICOM LAC conference. The Presidents of National committees, present in the conference, were interested in the perspectives that ICOFOM offers of developing theoretical Museology through the establishment of a training network in the region. I was also invited to speak about Museology, the Total Heritage and Sustainable Development – the ICOFOM LAM theme for 2000. 

ICOM STUDY SERIES 

In 99, we have submitted to ICOM a proposal for the edition of a special issue of ICOM STUDY SERIES, about ICOFOM. The project was approved and the edition is now under production at ICOM headquarters. This publication will include articles by André Desvallés, Anita Shah, Ivo Maroevic, Martin Schaerer, Mathilde Bellaigue, Nelly Decarolis, Peter van Mensh, Su Donghai, Vinos Sofka and myself. ICOM Paris will distribute it to members. 

ICOFOM 2000 

The annual conference of ICOFOM for the year 2000 is planned to be organized in Burkina Faso, from June 19 to 27. A program has been designed and approved, and we have been granted the political support of UNESCO - but there seems to be a financial problem. We are at present trying to solve this problem, but it is possible that our conference needs to be postponed. In that case, it will take place in October, either in Burkina or in another country. As soon as we have a definition on this matter you will be advised. 

Nevertheless, we have decided to keep the same theme – Museology and Intangible Heritage, and the same deadline for the call for papers: March 30. In attach, you will find the official call for papers for this conference. Papers will be edited in Germany, with the help of our Secretary, Hildegard Vieregg.  

ICOFOM 2001 

We are also starting to program ICOFOM 2001, and our next move will be to define with which committees will ICOFOM meet in Barcelona. More information on this matter will be sent to you. 

Dear ICOFOM members, this is all for the moment. Your comments and ideas are always welcome – as well as your written contributions to our conferences! 

With my best regards, 

Tereza Scheiner  
President - ICOFOM   

NAME (Nom/nombre) _______________________________________________________ 

COUNTRY (Pays/ país) _______________________________________________________ 

MEMBER/MEMBRE/MIEMBRO: ( ) VOTING (votant/votante)  

1. Personal (personnel) _________________________________________________________  

Email: 

2. Professional (Professionel): ____________________________________________________  

Email: 

Autorizo el ICOFOM a reproducir mi dirección profesional en la Home Page) 

This is the official launching of the call for papers for ICOFOM 2000. The theme of this year’s conference will be MUSEOLOGY AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE, and the sub-themes are: 

1. MUSEUM, MUSEOLOGY AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
1. – Art and creativity as heritage
2. - Memory, tradition and intangible heritage
3. - Museology, intangible heritage and cultural identity
4. - Museology, intangible heritage and the total environment
5. - Museology, applied to the intangible heritage: how to musealise it, how to visualise it? 
2. MUSEOLOGY AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE IN A CHANGING WORLD
1. – Intangible heritage, cultural industry and development
2. - Museology and intangible heritage related to present and future times
3. - Museology and the ‘new heritages’: technology, the media, virtual heritage
4. - Museology, cultural policies and the new structures of heritage

ICOFOM will accept as contributions to the academic discussions on Museum Theory papers produced in accordance with the following specifications: 

1. Written in computer, in software compatible to ambient MS Office 95 or 97 (Word 6.0, 7.0 or 8.0) in one of the working idioms of ICOFOM;
2. An abstract (one page) in at least one other idiom of ICOFOM is desirable;
3. Pages must be size A4, printed only in one side of the paper, without numbering; text must be written in font Arial size 11, with single space and margins as follow: 0.98' (superior), 0.98' (inferior), 1.18' in both sides. Text must be justified and saved as .doc - if not possible, as .rft or .txt

6. All contributions presented under such specifications will be taken into account and integrated to the official production of ICOFOM. We will not be able to consider contributions not presented as mentioned above.
7. Works on Terminology of Museology are accepted as well - and will be included in the documentation to be used by the working group of the Encyclopaedia Museologica. In 2000, ICOFOM will favor terms and concepts related to Heritage.

Contributions must be sent by email or fax to one of the addresses below. A diskette and the correspondent printed text must follow by mail. Deadline for the presentation of papers is March 30, 2000. All papers received to this deadline will be included in ISS. Papers received after this deadline will not be included in ISS. 

ISS will be organized and edited by Hildegard Vieregg, in Germany. Printed papers and diskettes must be sent directly to Hildegard, in the following address: 
 

Secretary ICOFOM  Hildegard Vieregg

Museology and Contemporary History   Bamerische Staatsgemaldesammlungen  /MPZ Barer Str. 29   80799 München - Germany

tel: 89 23 805 196 (-231 or 123)  fax: 89 23 805 197  email - vieregg@mpz.bayern.de

  
In order to organize information within the committee, we ask you to please forward emails both to her and to: 

Tereza Scheiner  
President, ICOFOM  

Av. Ayrton Senna, 2150 Sala 223 Bloco C  

Barra da Tijuca – 22793-000 Rio de Janeiro – Brasil  

Tel: 0055 21 325 32 08 fax: 0055 21 325 66 35  

email: tacnet.cultural@openlink.com.br , icofom@iname.com