10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
[O05-03] Acquisition of geological material and related problems in museums in Geopark areas.
★Invited Papers
Keywords:UNESCO Global Geopark, Geological Material Collection, WG on Communication to Reduce Geo-Material Collection and Sales, International Council of Museums, JEITA, Conflict Minerals
A UNESCO Global Geopark is a program for the protection and conservation of geological heritage of internationally recognized value, which can be used for research, education, understanding of local culture and regional development, leading to sustainable development of the region. UNESCO Global Geoparks are managed according to the guidelines established by UNESCO (the International Geoscience Geoparks Program Statutes and the UNESCO Geoparks Operational Guidelines). The criteria for UNESCO Global Geoparks, as set out in the UNESCO Operational Guidelines for Geoparks, not only prohibit the sale of geological specimens, but also require that such trade in general be actively discouraged. On the other hand, many museums and visitor centers have been established in geopark areas, where geological specimens are used as exhibits to explain geological phenomena to visitors.
This report is based on discussions of issues related to the acquisition and display of geological specimens in museums in the Working Group on Communication to Reduce Geological Material Collection and Sales, which was established within the Japan Geoparks Network.
International regulations for the acquisition and collection of specimens in museums have been developed by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
In October 2004, ICOM revised the ICOM Code of Ethics of the Profession (Code of Ethics of Museums), which provides the following basic guidelines to enable museums worldwide to achieve certain standards in their activities.
1 The acquisition of material and specimens derived from unauthorized or non-academic fieldwork.
2 The acquisition of protected biological or geological material.
3 The display of material of unknown provenance.
In addition, the ICOM Code of Ethics for Natural History Museums (ICOM Code of Ethics for Natural History Museums) was adopted by ICOM in 2013. It contains the following provisions for the procurement of rock, mineral and fossil specimens:
1 Are they collected by methods that do not adversely affect the geological formation?
2 Does the specimen come from a legitimate source and can this be verified?
3 Does the commercial mining cause damage to the area of origin?
4 Can you demonstrate that you are mining within the laws of the country of origin and your own country?
It is also worthwhile to note that the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) has designated conflict minerals and restricted their use. This designates tantalum, tin, gold, and tungsten (3TG) mined around the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as conflict minerals that will not be used throughout the supply chain, including mining activities in the electronics industry. Museums should also be cautious about purchasing and displaying geological specimens collected in and around the DRC.
The following are some of the issues raised at the Itoigawa Fossa Magna Museum during the re-accreditation review in relation to the geological specimens on display. One reviewer pointed out the need to demonstrate in writing that specimens are obtained from legitimate suppliers and to keep documentation such as purchase contracts. This should be strictly adhered to, especially when acquiring geological specimens after the Geopark status. It was also pointed out that fossils from Morocco should not be exhibited due to problematic collection methods.
Thus, there are many factors to consider when acquiring and displaying geological specimens as a museum in a Geopark area, including not only the UNESCO Global Geoparks Standards, but also the ICOM Working Guidelines and the activities of JEITA. A Geopark is a program promoted by the international organization UNESCO, which naturally requires that the facilities be operated in accordance with ICOM and other regulations. It is necessary to check not only when building a museum or visitor center in a Geopark area, but also in existing facilities, that geological specimens are not acquired and displayed in violation of the above-mentioned regulations.
This report is based on discussions of issues related to the acquisition and display of geological specimens in museums in the Working Group on Communication to Reduce Geological Material Collection and Sales, which was established within the Japan Geoparks Network.
International regulations for the acquisition and collection of specimens in museums have been developed by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
In October 2004, ICOM revised the ICOM Code of Ethics of the Profession (Code of Ethics of Museums), which provides the following basic guidelines to enable museums worldwide to achieve certain standards in their activities.
1 The acquisition of material and specimens derived from unauthorized or non-academic fieldwork.
2 The acquisition of protected biological or geological material.
3 The display of material of unknown provenance.
In addition, the ICOM Code of Ethics for Natural History Museums (ICOM Code of Ethics for Natural History Museums) was adopted by ICOM in 2013. It contains the following provisions for the procurement of rock, mineral and fossil specimens:
1 Are they collected by methods that do not adversely affect the geological formation?
2 Does the specimen come from a legitimate source and can this be verified?
3 Does the commercial mining cause damage to the area of origin?
4 Can you demonstrate that you are mining within the laws of the country of origin and your own country?
It is also worthwhile to note that the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) has designated conflict minerals and restricted their use. This designates tantalum, tin, gold, and tungsten (3TG) mined around the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as conflict minerals that will not be used throughout the supply chain, including mining activities in the electronics industry. Museums should also be cautious about purchasing and displaying geological specimens collected in and around the DRC.
The following are some of the issues raised at the Itoigawa Fossa Magna Museum during the re-accreditation review in relation to the geological specimens on display. One reviewer pointed out the need to demonstrate in writing that specimens are obtained from legitimate suppliers and to keep documentation such as purchase contracts. This should be strictly adhered to, especially when acquiring geological specimens after the Geopark status. It was also pointed out that fossils from Morocco should not be exhibited due to problematic collection methods.
Thus, there are many factors to consider when acquiring and displaying geological specimens as a museum in a Geopark area, including not only the UNESCO Global Geoparks Standards, but also the ICOM Working Guidelines and the activities of JEITA. A Geopark is a program promoted by the international organization UNESCO, which naturally requires that the facilities be operated in accordance with ICOM and other regulations. It is necessary to check not only when building a museum or visitor center in a Geopark area, but also in existing facilities, that geological specimens are not acquired and displayed in violation of the above-mentioned regulations.