The Declaration of the City of Salvador

About this publication

The First Ibero-American Museum Meeting, held from June 26 to 28, 2007, in the City of Salvador, Bahia, served as the contemporary heir of the Roundtable of Santiago de Chile, held in 1972. It also provided theoretical and practical contributions on popular museology, social museology, eco-museology, new museology and critical museology.

After three intense days of work, the representatives of the 22 Ibero-American countries, with contributions from representatives of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) – which at the time also represented the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI) -, the Latin American Institute of Museums (ILAM), the Brazilian Museum Association (ABM) and the Brazilian Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-BR), prepared and approved by acclamation the document presented here. The declaration includes thirteen initial considerations, 13 guidelines, 13 action proposals and 3 recommendations.

Summary

The Declaration of the City of Salvador provides the countries of the Ibero-American community with an unprecedented opportunity for cooperation and dialogue among museums. Ratified at the Ibero-American Conference of Ministers of Culture of Valparaiso in July 2007, and at the XVII Summit of Heads of State and Government in Santiago, Chile in November 2007, this document fostered the creation of the Ibermuseums Program. The Ibermuseums Program was approved at the Summit of Heads of State and Government of San Salvador in October 2008, to promote and develop public policies for museums in Ibero-America.

This government initiative aims to create multilateral mechanisms for cooperation and develop joint actions among museums and for the museums of the Ibero-American countries. It will also strengthen the relationship between public and private institutions and professionals in the Ibero-American museum sector, promoting the protection and management of our heritage and fostering the exchange of experiences and knowledge produced. The Declaration of Salvador will continue to serve as the inspiring and motivating basis of a program for the integration, consolidation and development of Ibero-American museums and to value these institutions as tools for social transformation and integral development and to preserve the cultural and natural treasures of the region.