Governing Bodies of ICOM

The members of ICOM are professionals directly or indirectly involved with museums as well as museums, organisations and institutions which have similar activities. The National and International Committees are the base of theorganisational structure of ICOM.

National Committees
Every National Committee represents a specific country and is composed of ICOM members registered in this country. The National Committees elect an Administrative Board that has a certain tenure. The Chair of the Administrative Board represents the Committee during the meetings of the ICOM Advisory Committee.

International Committees
They are composed of ICOM members from various countries who interested in the same field of specialisation. The International Committees deal with specific matters and study propositions for the promotion of particular fields of museological theory and practice. They elect an Administrative Board with a three-year tenure. All ICOM members can participate in International Committees, which are represented at the Advisory Committee by their Presidents.

General Assembly
It is the supreme governing body of ICOM and its decisions cannot be revoked. All ICOM members are invited to participate in the General Assembly, which is held every three years, in a different country every time, in order to adopt the Strategic Plan and to elect the Executive Council.

Executive Council
Composed of sixteen members, it is authorised by the General Assembly to ensure that its decisions and resolutions are given effect, that the ICOM Strategic Plan is being carried out, that the annual budget is being drafted, that the articles of the constitution are being followed and also takes in charge the general management of ICOM.

Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is composed of the Chairpersons of National Committees, International Committees and Affiliated Organisations. The role of the Advisory Committee is to examine the general policy of ICOM, to resolve the administrative problems and to report its observations regarding the implementation of the Program that has been approved by the General Assembly. It also defines future activities and discusses various matters related to the activities of ICOM.

Secretariat
The ICOM Secretariat, a supreme executive body, is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Executive Council under the under the direction of the Secretary General. It also provides services to the ICOM members, coordinates the activities of the National and International Committees, observes the progress of the programs and processes various administrative and economical matters. It also collaborates with international organisations that deal with matters related to cultural heritage.

General Conference
It constitutes one of the most important event s of ICOM and bears the character of an International Conference, focusing on a different subject every time. It takes place every three years at the same time as the General Assembly. It gives to ICOM members the chance to meet, to be informed on matters that interest them and to exchange opinions and experiences. The members of the National and International Committees meet according to the working group they belong to and analyse various scientific matters related to their field of specialisation.

Affiliated Organisations
They are International Organisations with a specialised field of study relating to the mission of ICOM. Many of their members are also ICOM members. These oganisations can, while remaining independent, ask to collaborate with ICOM within the field of the latter's activities. These collaborations are constructive for both parties, since they widen their horizons and contribute to the development of museums.