I would like to start this month with a note on the power of our incredible network. Back in November at the International Directors Forum, we highlighted the plight of our colleagues at the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm who are closed to the public due to structural building issues and facing difficulty convincing their government to help them solve this problem. No less than 13 Natural History Museums from around the world, many in attendance at the International Directors Forum, combined forces and signed an open letter to call for governmental support to return the museum to full operation as soon as possible. The action was picked up by the press and triggered a visit to the Natural History Museum from the ministries in charge. We are proud to have been the catalyst for this collaborative action and look forward to any updates.

As I’m sure you know, over the next few months the Ecsite team with our hosts Kersnikova Institute are preparing the 2024 Conference. In these times of funding challenges, I urge you to take advantage of the lowest prices when registration opens on 14 February. And, as you may have already noticed, Ljubljana is easily accessible by train.

Organising the Ecsite Conference is a big responsibility for our hosts. I have formed a working group to look at the future of the Ecsite Conference with one of the goals being to reduce the burden on potential hosts. With that in mind, you will find the call for future hosts in your inbox in the coming weeks with some changes. It will be a Call for Expressions of Interest so it’s easier to answer and allow potential hosts to work with the Ecsite team whilst developing their bid. The requirements from the Conference hosts have changed slightly with some new elements to be trialled in 2025 to make it more sustainable for hosting organisation.

On a final note, I would like to draw your attention to the call for board members which is now open. Please take a look and consider applying by 17 March to join our team and together guide the future direction of Ecsite.

All the best,

Bruno Maquart