The first International Conference of Women’s Museums took place in Meran, Italy on June 11-13 2008.
Until 2008, there has been little contact between different women’s museums worldwide. However, it was clear that mutual exchange is crucial for the quality of museum work. Hence, the idea of an international network of women’s museums was born.
The 1st International Congress was a great success as it brought together the representatives of the women’s museums from all over the world: Argentina, Mexico, Australia, China, Vietnam, USA, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Sudan and Senegal.
Right from the beginning, the goals were exchange, achievement of international visibility, and support for further women’s museums.
On the agenda of these days were workshops, presentations of the single museums, analysis of strengths and weaknesses, and network work. The participators agreed on the next projects: a circulating exhibition should take place in Bonn (2009); 2nd International Women’s Museum Congress in Buenos Aires (2010); 3rd International Women’s Museums congress in China (2012). At the end of the congress a resolution had been passed. It represents a catalogue of topics with intentions and demands as a result of the international congress.
The Iranian peace Nobel Prize Laureate (2003) Shirin Ebadi, who first functioned as godmother of the congress in Meran, decided to continue to be the godmother of the network.