The annual meeting of ICOM (International Council of Museums) Bangladesh National Committee was held at the auditorium of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh on February 8. Besides the annual meeting, a workshop on the definition of museum was also held at the venue.

Professor Mahfuza Khanom, president of Bangladesh Asiatic Society was the present as chief guest at the programme. Reena Dewan, the President of ICOM India was present as the guest of honour. Mofidul Haq, writer and one of the trustees of the Liberation War Museum delivered the keynote paper. Jahangir Hussain, Chairperson of ICOM-Bangladesh National Committee presided over the meeting. Professor Dr Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary of ICOM-Bangladesh National Committee delivered the welcome speech at the programme. A number of archaeologists, museumologists and representatives from different museums, Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University were present at the event.

The guests talked about different aspects of the museum. They expressed that a museum is a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment.

Museums are democratising, inclusive and polyphonic spaces for critical dialogue about the pasts and the futures. Acknowledging and addressing conflicts and challenges of the present, they hold artifacts and specimens in trust for society, safeguard diverse memories for future generations, and guarantee equal rights and equal access to heritage for all people.

In the second part of the programme, a workshop on the definition of the museum was held. Jahangir Hussain, Chairperson of ICOM-Bangladesh National Committee emceed the workshop. Professor Eshani Chakravarty of Dhaka University; Professor Suraiya Akhter and Professor Nusrat Fatema spoke at the workshop. Professor Mokammel Hossain Bhuiyan of Jahangirnagar University, folklorist Dr. Firoz Mahmud, Dr. Achiya Khatun, curator of Taka Museum; Professor Dr Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary of ICOM-Bangladesh National Committee also spoke at the programme.