The reflection upon new museum issues at stake, initiated in 2005 by the Museum International journal, is resuming by this second public debate,
to be held at UNESCO on 5 February, with a view to engaging representatives from the professional museum community, academia, and Member States of the Organization to reflect upon ways of creating a favourable context for constructive dialogue on the transfer of artworks and cultural objects.

There is a strongly contradictory debate among museum professionals on the universal mission of museums vs. the massive transfers of cultural property over the course of history. Most countries have in fact recognized the importance of museums as a place for the preservation, study and presentation of their cultural past. Moreover, many countries have appealed to the international community for assistance in reconstituting their cultural memory and traditional knowledge, by requesting the return of objects preserved in remote lands.

This desire to play a role in the management and preservation of cultural heritage is also valid for certain cultural communities within States, such as indigenous groups. Such requests suggest that new forms of mutually beneficial collaboration should be studied and established between museums,
governments and heritage professionals.

Committed to defending the universality of museums’ missions on the one hand, and recognizing the need for countries to preserve their past and to reconstitute their cultural memory on the other, UNESCO seeks to promote the accessibility and sharing of knowledge associated with cultural objects. In order to reach these aims, UNESCO wishes to associate with all actors in order to complement legal considerations with philosophical and historical perspectives.

A panel of professionals representing different approaches to the issues of memory and universality (universal museums, ICOM, museums community and source countries, and the academic community) are invited to discuss and inform the debate in a perspective of sharing and access to knowledge.

• Monday 5 February, 19H-21H00, UNESCO Headquarters, Room XI
• Related UNESCO programme : Public debate - Memory and Universality
• First public debate of the series: Cultural diversity and heritage