ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
Provides the context for the Strategic Plan 2008- 2010, including opportunities and challenges

ICOM’s External Environment
Museums are recognised as integral partners in sustainable development,
advocating a greater respect and understanding of the importance of heritage to the source communities. This understanding of the importance of cultural diversity leads to strategies for its protection and promotion.

Many societies are media driven and the Internet acts as a contributor to greater popular understanding of museums.

Museums participate in our changing society with an emphasis on global cultural cross-fertilisation in urban and rural areas, which presupposes flexible working systems.

Deteriorating living conditions worldwide lead to political and social upheaval, and insufficient commitment to the developing world at all levels, including limitations on global travel. 

There will be a volatile financial environment and museums will need to adapt to market realities 

Global warming and the effects of climate change will touch everyone.

ICOM’s Internal Environment
Effective internal and external communications are in place, with an information platform operational.

A reconfigured Secretariat to effectively meet ICOM’s needs is located under one roof.

There is flexibility in human resource utilisation throughout ICOM’s network. Synergies with other natural and cultural heritage partners are in place.

Diversifying and expanding revenue sources is a priority for the network.

Some countries may perceive that they are excluded; there may be tension between national and global interests.

ICOM’s dependence on the web may not coincide with the lower priority given to web access in many areas.