The World Federation of Friends of Museums is an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation legally constituted in Belgium in 1975. Recognising the need to join forces for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the conservation of cultural heritage, it unites the growing number of Friends of Museums in different countries.
WFFM promotes the establishment and development of national associations and federations of Friends of Museums around the world and supports their initiatives towards the enrichment of museums.
WFFM represents Friends of Museums in developing cultural co-operation with international organisations, particularly the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and
UNESCO. WFFM encourages ties between museum professionals and volunteers, young people and the general public, since it believes that it is through the open and active participation of the community that these aims can be achieved.
WFFM provides a Code of Ethics for Friends and Volunteers that can be adopted in full or adapted to the needs of each particular association. WFFM promotes the exchange of information amongst associations of Friends through an annual General Assembly and an International triennial Congress.
WFFM's main role, however, is still that of exchange of information and the promotion of the idea of Friends of Museums world-wide. It does this through a World Congress, which is held every three years, bringing Friends throughout the world to a place of historical or archaeological interest for a week's meeting. The theme of each Congress is chosen by the Council with the co-operation of the organising national federation. World Congresses attract experts such as curators of some of the greatest museums of the world as well as famous men and women of letters and culture including authors, architects, archaeologists and historians. Each Congress is held under the auspices of either the head of state or provincial government or the prominent figure who usually presides over the host national federation.
The Council of
WFFM meets annually. It is made up of delegates or presidents of national Federations members and representatives of Associate Members, who are elected for six year term. The Executive Committee comprises the President, Secretary General, Treasurer and Vice Presidents for North and South America, Europe and Africa-Asia-Pacific. Executive Committee members are elected for three year terms. There is an annual General Assembly, which is open to presidents and delegates of federations and associate members as well as Individual Members of
WFFM. These official meetings are held in different countries and the host federation usually organises a seminar of interest to Friends at the same time as the annual General Assembly. This one day event is open to ordinary members of the host federation and sometimes the general public, to encourage interest in the work of Friends in the host country as well as raise awareness of the
WFFM world-wide. Congresses and Council meetings have been held in Paris, Brussels, Cyprus, Oaxaca, Sydney, Venice, Birmingham, London, Stockholm, Athens, Buenos Aires, Treviso, Baltimore, Toronto, Nicosia, Barcelona, Cordoba, Florence, Edinburgh, Prague, Porto, Oslo, and Bruges. All meetings of
WFFM include a programme of cultural and social events organised by the host national federation which gives delegates the opportunity to have unique guided tours to special exhibitions or visit private collections not open to the public.
The World Federation of Friends of Museums is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization, legally constituted in Belgium in 1975.
The aim of the World Federation of Friends of Museums is
To unite the growing number of Friends of Museums in different countries for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the conservation of cultural heritage.
To promote the establishment and development of national Associations and Federations of Friends of museums around the world, and support their initiatives towards the enrichment of museums.
To represent Friends of Museums in developing cultural cooperation with international organizations, particularly with the international Council of Museums (ICOM) and
UNESCO.
To encourage ties between museum professionals and volunteers, young people and the general public. We believe that it is through the open and active participation of the community that these aims can be achieved.
To provide a Code of Ethics for Museum Friends and Volunteers, as a base for the development of a Code of Ethics by particular associations.
To exchange information and the idea of Friends of Museums through an annual General Assembly and a triennial international Congress.
The
WFFM has members in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay. .