Different views of the ITP

This morning a breakfast presentation at the British Museum gave staff the chance to see the International Training Programme from several different viewpoints. Neal Spencer and Claire Messenger spoke about the development of the Programme and the seminar in Cairo, before we gained insights into two of the Partnership UK museums see the programme. Zelina Garland from Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery spoke about their experience in recent years, highlighting how the programme gave them access to expertise and fitted into their international strategy, while Iain Watson of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums spoke about how five years of the Programme has had several benefits, including developing staff’s cultural awareness. And: how the Programme allowed the museums to share the risk of such a big project!

We then heard from two of this year’s participants. Cynthia Iruobe of the Lagos Museum spoke about taking ideas home, including children’s learning spaces and mock excavations, while Vandana Prapanna (of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai) also highlighted what she would try and apply when home – amongst other things mentioning an increased engagement with communities.

The presentation ended with the latest offering from budding director Bulent Gonultas, with a soundtrack of ‘Dinle’ by Sebnem Paker:

One more day in London – the final project presentations – then everyone starts their (sometimes long) journeys home.

Neal Spencer