Museums and Community Development
In an era that calls for the development of new forms of nation-states and global structures, the role of museums—as institutions that foster culture and connect societies—has become increasingly significant. The National Museum of Ethnology has implemented museum-related training programs for more than 30 years.
In the latter half of the 20th century, opportunities to acquire comprehensive knowledge of museology, encompassing both theory and practice, were limited not only in developing countries but also worldwide. In response to this situation, the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) participated in the “Museum Management Technology (Collection, Conservation and Exhibition)” program, conducted in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for a period of 10 years beginning in 1994. Through this initiative, museum professionals in Japan, including those at Minpaku, accumulated substantial expertise.
On the 10th anniversary of the program, Minpaku undertook a review of its achievements and challenges, revised the curriculum, and relaunched the program in 2004 as the “Intensive Course on Museology.” Under this renewed structure, Minpaku received full project commissioning from JICA and implemented the training in cooperation with personnel from museums and art galleries throughout Japan. This course primarily targeted museum staff engaged in practical, hands-on work.
In 2012, the program was reorganized as the “Comprehensive Museology.” Reflecting the circumstances following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the curriculum placed increased emphasis on security and disaster prevention in the management of museum materials. The program also enhanced its content by enabling participants to design, implement, and communicate museum management strategies, while exploring collaboration with tourism-related fields.
In 2015, the program was renamed “Museums and Community Development,” shifting its focus to the roles museums play within local communities. This course aims to develop personnel capable of contributing to economic and cultural revitalization, as well as community-based tourism, through comprehensive training in practical methods essential to museum operations.
Although the program’s name, structure, and curriculum have evolved in response to changing needs and trends, its core objective—building and strengthening an international network through museums—has remained consistent. By 2025, a total of 322 participants from 69 countries will have completed the training program, contributing to the establishment of a global museum network.
List of Participants
Museum Co–operation – Newsletter of the Museums and Community Development Course
（Online）ISSN 2760-604X
（Print）ISSN 2760-6104