Beirut: The Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut (AUB) hosted the 'Post-Conflict Museum Skills Development' course in the second half of July 2025. The training program, developed by the Smithsonian Institution and implemented by World Monuments Fund, aimed to build the technical and professional capacities of a group of Iraqi museum experts and specialists.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the course was held as part of the broader project to rehabilitate the Mosul Cultural Museum in Iraq, which is being implemented by World Monuments Fund (WMF), the Louvre Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution, in cooperation with Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities and the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, with support from the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH).
The multi-day event was concluded by Iraq's Minister of Culture Mr. Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, Lebanon's Minister of Culture Mr. Ghassan Salameh, and Mr. David Sassine, ALIPH's representative. It was attended by Ms. Alessandra Peruzzetto, WMF's Senior Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa; Dr. Elie Flouty, WMF's representative in the Arab countries; Dr. Nadine Panayot, Curator of the AUB Archaeological Museum, and other experts.
The skills development course represented a key step toward articulating a renewed vision for the Mosul Cultural Museum following years of destruction and closure. The course focused on introducing modern museological concepts, innovative exhibition techniques, and strategic planning for the museum's reopening.
The final session of the 'Post-Conflict Museum Skills Development' course offered an interactive space for participants, combining hands-on training, theoretical discussions, and field visits. These activities aimed to finalize an integrated vision for the renewed Mosul Cultural Museum. Activities began with a tour of the AUB Museum, where participants learned about preservation techniques, exhibition methods, and museum storytelling. This was followed by a workshop dedicated to crafting museum mission statements and institutional goals, using the Mosul Museum as a case study.
Over three days of collaborative work, Iraqi experts engaged in a comprehensive review of museological concepts, including historical narrative structure, object display, interior design, and the restoration and exhibition timeline. The practical aspect of the program was further emphasized through field visits to the National Museum, the Sursock Museum, the MIM, and to the Independent Works Regiment of the Lebanese Army, aimed at building capacity in prevention and preparedness during times of conflict at the request of the Iraqi participants. These visits provided participants with direct exposure to leading Lebanese experiences in cultural institution rehabilitation and allowed exploration of the museum's relationship with the local community.