Call for Participants and Speakers

ICOM Europe is pleased to support the 2nd ICOM Students and Young Professionals Forum 2026, organized by ICOM Seychelles in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Seychelles and international partners.

The Forum will take place from 21-23 October 2026 at the Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa in Victoria, Seychelles, in a hybrid format combining in-person and online participation.

Theme – Sustainable Management of Museum Collections in the Context of Climate Change: The Role of Young People

The Forum will bring together students, emerging museum professionals, heritage practitioners, researchers, and cultural institutions to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to museum collection management in the face of climate change. Particular emphasis will be placed on the contribution of young professionals in shaping resilient and sustainable museum practices.

Objectives

The Forum aims to:

• Promote sustainable and climate-responsive approaches to museum collection management;
• Strengthen the capacity of young professionals as future leaders in resilient museum practices;
• Foster international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional networking;
• Encourage youth engagement in heritage preservation and climate action.

Programme Highlights

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in:

• Workshops on preventive conservation and environmental monitoring;
• Discussions on sustainable museum practices and emergency preparedness;
• Sessions on youth leadership, climate action, and institutional planning;
• Site visits and practical demonstrations at heritage sites in Seychelles;
• Networking and exchange with international experts and museum professionals.

Who Can Participate?

The Forum welcomes:

• Students;
• Young museum professionals;
• Heritage practitioners;
• Researchers;
• Representatives of cultural institutions and related disciplines.

Participation is limited to 40 in-person attendees, while online participation will also be available.

Call for Speakers

ICOM Seychelles invites students, emerging professionals, and practitioners in museums, heritage, culture, and related fields to contribute to the Forum programme.

Prospective speakers are invited to submit:

• A short biography;
• A proposed presentation topic related to the Forum theme.

Speaker Submission Deadline – 30 July 2026

The Forum offers a platform to:

• Amplify youth perspectives in the museum and heritage sector;
• Share innovative research and practices;
• Engage in dialogue on the future of museums;
• Contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable heritage sector.

Registration Deadlines

• In-person participation: 30 August 2026
• Online participation: 11 October 2026

Organisers and Partners

The Forum is hosted by ICOM Seychelles in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Seychelles and with the support of ICOM partners including ICOM Africa, ICOM Europe, ICOM Sustain, ICOM Tanzania, ICOM Comoros, ICOM Zambia, and ICOM Madagascar.

Contact

ICOM Seychelles
Email: icomseychelles@gmail.com

Young Minds. Stronger Heritage. Sustainable Future.