The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is the global organization of museums and museum professionals committed to the conservation of the world’s natural and cultural heritage. ICOM was created in 1946 and is a non-governmental organization maintaining formal relations with UNESCO and one of the founding members of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS). ICOM membership offers access to 20,000 museums in 136 countries, 35,000 museum experts throughout the world and 30 professional committees. It is an organization, which promotes intangible heritage and the preservation of material heritage. It develops best practice standards for the world- wide museum industry and through its global reach and events programme.