Naples and Caserta, May 15-18, 2025
Fourteen countries, Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, the United Kingdom, met or joined forces at the General Assembly of the World Federation of Friends of Museums, held over four days in Naples and at the Royal Palace of Caserta, in order to implement the new action plan for the World Federation prepared by the Executive Committee.
Fifty-five Friends, including seventeen young people and two representatives of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the president of its foundation, former ICOM President, and the secretary general of the Italian national committee actively participated in these discussions. ICOM’s involvement in these talks stems from its recent decision to recognize the WFFM as an affiliated organization in order to cooperate more closely in the interests of museums.
Five priorities were defined during the Council meetings: to increase the number of member federations and associations in Asia and Pacific, Europe, North and South America, while striving to forge new relationships around the Mediterranean and in Africa; to develop international partnerships with ICOM in the first instance, but also with UNESCO; deepen the exchange of experiences between Friends, particularly through digital means; increase their visibility by internationalizing the European Day of Friends of Museums; and finally, continue the restructuring of the World Federation.
An effort is thus being made by European federations to build closer ties with museum friends in countries around the Mediterranean and in Africa. The arrival of Lebanon, with the membership of the Society of Friends of the American University of Beirut Museum announced in Naples, is a first step in this direction.
A Young Council bringing together one or two representatives from countries with Young Friends groups has been created to share their experiences, develop common tools, and structure a collective dynamic on a global scale.
The Young Friends gathered in Naples around the theme: “How to create and maintain an international network of Young Friends?” A first concrete project has emerged: an interactive world map of Young sections that will serve as a starting point for building a true international network of Young Friends.
As an ICOM-affiliated organization, the WFFM and its members can now establish direct contact with all ICOM international committees, regional alliances, and national committees, particularly to help them identify and connect with new museum friends federations or associations.
A new website has been launched to promote the activities of Friends of Museums around the world and provide members of the World Federation with a dedicated space for exchanges. HOME – WFFM
The third edition of European Friends of Museums Day, scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025, will go international with the participation of Canada and, most likely, Argentina.
Several working groups have been set up to revise the World Federation’s code of ethics, identify and contact old and new members, recruit individual members, and seek funding.
Finally, the World Federation’s office is reopening in Paris to facilitate exchanges between Friends of Museums coming to or passing through the French capital, as well as research using the international archives held by the French Federation.