The ICOM International Committee on Ethical Dilemmas (IC Ethics) is an open forum on practical challenges regarding ethical dilemmas in the museum profession. IC Ethics is a space where museum professionals can reflect, share and discuss ethical dilemmas, helping them to make more informed choices.
IC Ethics:
As dedicated museum professionals and ICOM members, we see the need for a broad and open debate about ethical dilemmas. With the new importance of museums as societal actors, ethical dilemmas are among the most relevant working fields. We believe that IC Ethics will be an essential and important addition to the International Committees of ICOM.
As an International Committee, it will be an open forum on ethical dilemmas for all museum professionals, a forum for reflection, discussion and sharing, thereby helping museum professionals to make more informed choices.
IC Ethics has been officially founded in Kyoto/Japan on Tuesday, 4th of September 2019, after being approved by the ICOMs Executive Board in July 2019. The initiators have received 171 Letters of Support from 38 different countries and four continents. In addition, five National Committees have supported the initiative with written statements.
Find out more about:
>>> Our mission (English, Français, Español) and rules (English)
LATEST NEWS:
IC Ethics Board (2025–2028) Elected
We are pleased to announce that the new IC Ethics Board for the 2025–2028 term has been successfully elected. During the official committee meeting held at ICOM Dubai 2025, members voted to appoint the new Chair and Board Members who will guide the committee’s work over the next three years. The newly elected Board will continue advancing IC Ethics’ mission by strengthening ethical awareness, fostering dialogue, and supporting responsible museum practices worldwide. We thank all candidates for their commitment and all members who participated in the election process.
Meet the members of the IC Ethics Board (2025–28)
IC Ethics – 27th ICOM General Conference 2025, Dubai
The IC Ethics programme at the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai has now successfully concluded.
Across IC Ethics Day and Sessions A, B, and C, participants engaged in dynamic discussions on women and youth empowerment, ethical museum practices, decolonization, and dress in nomadic cultures. The sessions were well attended and generated valuable insights, fostering meaningful exchange among museum professionals, researchers, and ethics-focused practitioners from around the world.
We thank all speakers, moderators, and participants for their contributions to a thoughtful and inspiring programme.
In Memoriam: Per Rekdal
ICEthics is sorry to hear the loss of one our founding members of our international committee: Per Rekdal. He was a very devoted museum professional and played a major role in ICOM. Our sincere condolences go to all his family, friends and colleagues.
📞 Call for Speakers: Share Your Ethical Insights in Museums
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Are you a museum professional interested in or dealing with an ethical dilemma? Would you like to discuss this with your colleagues? We invite you to be a speaker or speakers of our virtual open platform dicussions!
You can find all information about the IC Ethics Meeting Room and what to consider as a speaker moderating in these documents:
(French and Spanish versions are coming soon!)
More information about the IC Ethics Meeting Room series, following and previous events as well as the recordings of the introductions >> on this page.
About IC Ethics
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As dedicated museum professionals and ICOM members, we see the need for a broad and open debate about ethical dilemmas. With the new importance of museums as societal actors, ethical dilemmas are among the most relevant working fields. We believe that IC Ethics will be an essential and important addition to the International Committees of ICOM.
As an International Committee, it will be an open forum on ethical dilemmas for all museum professionals, a forum for reflection, discussion and sharing, thereby helping museum professionals to make more informed choices.
IC Ethics has been officially founded in Kyoto/Japan on Tuesday, 4th of September 2019, after being approved by the ICOMs Executive Board in July 2019. The initiators have received 171 Letters of Support from 38 different countries and four continents. In addition, five National Committees have supported the initiative with written statements.
Find out more about:
>>> Our mission (English, Français, Español) and rules (English)