During the 40th General Assembly at the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai, ICOM awarded honorary membership to three esteemed members in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the museum community as ICOM members, with achievements that demonstrate both excellence and international recognition.
The honorary memberships session was presented by outgoing ICOM Vice-Presidents Inkyung Chang (ICOM South Korea) and Terry Simioti Niambe (ICOM Zambia).
Honorary Membership Awarded to Madame Boël (1945-2025)
The first honorary membership was awarded posthumously to Madame Christine Boël, former President of the ICOM Foundation, who passed away in July 2025. A tribute was delivered by Inkyung Chang, ICOM Vice-President (2022-2025 mandate), who highlighted Christine Boël’s decades of dedication and service to the museum community.
Madame Boël’s leadership of the ICOM Foundation from 1995 to 2022 significantly shaped global museum initiatives. Under her direction, the Foundation expanded its support for museums worldwide, particularly through heritage protection programs such as the Object-ID list and SAREC projects which supported capacity-building, heritage protection, and youth-oriented initiatives in the global museums sector. In 2022, the French Republic also honoured M. Boël as Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters.
“Christine leaves us a profound legacy of leadership grounded in humanity, of generosity without fanfare, and of unwavering belief in the value of museums and cultural exchange. Her passing is a deep loss to ICOM and to the museum world. On behalf of the entire ICOM community, I extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. Her memory will continue to guide and inspire us.” – Inkyung Chang, 2022-2025 ICOM Vice-President
In honour of her work, Alberto Garlandini, President of the ICOM Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of Boël’s family.
Beatriz Espinoza Recognised for Leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean
The second honorary membership was awarded to Beatriz Espinoza, a prominent figure in museology and heritage with a groundbreaking legacy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Espinoza’s work extends beyond ICOM in addition to her involvement with the Fundación Artesanías de Chile and her role as a professor at the University of Chile. For ICOM, Espinoza has held various leadership roles, including Chair of ICOM Chile and President of ICOM LAC (2008-2013, 2019-2022, and 2022-2025). Her efforts in strengthening regional alliances and advancing the professional development of museum communities in Latin America and the Caribbean were highlighted during the ceremony.
“Through her work within ICOM and the broader cultural sector, Beatriz Espinoza has reinforced institutions, inspired collective action, and demonstrated enduring relevance in every sphere she engages in.” – Terry Simioti Niambe, 2022-2025 ICOM Vice-President
Espinoza expressed her gratitude for the recognition:
“It is difficult to express all the pride I feel in receiving this distinction from the International Council of Museums. It is an honour I truly did not expect, and I sincerely thank President Emma Nardi, the ICOM Secretariat, and the Executive Board for their support in the work I have carried out with my friends and team members.”
She also acknowledged the critical role of ICOM committees in Latin America and the Caribbean:
“I also want to express my sincere gratitude to all the committees of Latin America and the Caribbean, who have welcomed the proposals and tasks we have undertaken.”
Emma Nardi Honoured for Her Longstanding Contributions to ICOM and Visionary Leadership as ICOM President
The third honorary membership was presented to ICOM’s outgoing President Emma Nardi, in recognition of her leadership and contributions to ICOM over nearly two decades. As a full professor of museum education at Roma Tre University, Nardi founded Italy’s first university museum education centre. She also shared her expertise at the École du Louvre and the Institut National du Patrimoine in Paris, shaping generations of museum educators.
Nardi’s tenure within ICOM was marked by several key milestones, including the CECA Best Practice Award, the ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums, and her role as Chair of CECA in 2007, ICOM Treasurer in 2015, Chair of SAREC in 2021, and eventually as ICOM President from 2022 to 2025. Nardi’s efforts in promoting diversity, sustainability, and global collaboration within the museum sector were acknowledged as essential to ICOM’s growth and relevance.
Nardi’s leadership style, characterised by a constructive, collaborative approach, was recognised for bringing together museum professionals across the globe to address contemporary challenges in the museum sector.
“Emma Nardi’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping ICOM’s direction. Her vision for a more inclusive, global community has guided the organisation through important transitions and strengthened its impact worldwide […] On behalf of ICOM, thank you for your leadership, your humour, and your humanity. We are honoured to welcome you today as an honorary member. ” – Inkyung Chang, 2022-2025 ICOM Vice-President
More information on the outcomes of the General Conference can be found in the link down below.
