Qatar Museums Concludes Groundbreaking Conference on Future of Museology.

Doha: Qatar Museums (QM), in collaboration with the International Committee for Museology (ICOFOM) and the Arab Organization of Museums (ICOM Arab), has successfully concluded the "Future of Museums and Museology Practices in a Changing World" conference at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). This three-day event brought together global experts, scholars, and practitioners to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to museology in response to the rapidly evolving global landscape. According to Qatar News Agency, the conference was inaugurated by HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, along with CEO of Qatar Museums Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi and other esteemed delegates. Their opening remarks highlighted Qatar Museums' commitment to driving global conversations and advancing innovation within the cultural sector. The event featured multiple panel sessions, workshops, and cultural activities that addressed pressing topics such as sustainability, inclusivity, intergenera tional knowledge sharing, and the integration of new technologies in museums. Esteemed speakers included Abdulla Yousuf Al Mulla, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum; Alberto Garlandini, a renowned museologist and former President of ICOM; Alissandra Cummins, Director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society; Dr. Fatema Hassan Al Sulaiti, Director of International Cooperation and Government Affairs, Qatar Museums; and Prof. Karen Brown, ICOFOM Chair, among others. Key panels, such as "The Future of Museology in a Changing World," facilitated discussions on the evolving role of museums amid rapid global changes. Speakers shared insights on sustainability, focusing on growth, limits, and tipping points across regions. The discussions also addressed how museums could effectively tackle climate change and other global challenges, offering practical solutions for the sector's future. Other notable sessions included "The Future of Museums Through Good Practice," highlighting successful initi atives across regions, and "The Future of Museums Through Resilience and Accessibility," which addressed global challenges by aligning with the United Nations Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The session "The Future of Museums Through Technology and Innovation" explored cutting-edge advancements and their impact on museum practices. The conference concluded with "Rapid Reflections and Quick-Fire Ideas for Shaping the Future of Museology," an engaging ICOFOM-led session featuring fourteen speakers from the Arab region and beyond. Using a dynamic "quick-fire" format, participants shared concise and innovative ideas, sparking lively discussions and fresh insights into the future of museology. The conference reaffirmed the critical role of museums in addressing global challenges, cultivating inclusive narratives, and promoting innovation. By facilitating vibrant exchanges of ideas and practices, the event has laid a strong foundation for a sustainable and resilient future for museology worl dwide.