On 03 March, UNESCO, Vale Foundation and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) signed a technical cooperation agreement that, among other actions, implements the governance structure of the project Museu Nacional Vive (National Museum Lives). The objective is to establish strategic guidelines, monitor and plan articulation and optimization actions of different initiatives and projects, as well as to ensure the smooth execution and continuity of these actions for the reconstruction and restoration of the Museum. Especially the rebuilding and restoration of the Paço de São Cristóvão and its attachment; the preparation of the Palace to receive the new museography; the renovation of the Library and the Botanical Garden; and the implementation of the Cavalariças Campus.
According to Denise Carvalho the Dean of UFRJ, "the cooperation of UNESCO and the Vale Foundation with UFRJ is fundamental for the execution of the Museu Nacional Vive project to be carried out with excellence, seriousness and a lot of competence. We want to return the National Museum to Brazilian society as soon as possible. After all, we are talking about one of the earliest scientific institutions in the country."
The governance structure also aims to expand the participation of society in the project. It is centred on the functioning of three forums. First, is the Executive Committee (main deliberative body to which the Technical Management Group of the project will be subordinated). Second, is the Institutional Committee (consultative and with the participation of public, private and governmental partners); and the Post-Inauguration Safety and Sustainability Working Group (coordinated by BNDES and engaged by the Association of Friends of the National Museum and other third sector institutions).
Marlova Jovchelovitch Noleto, Director and Representative of UNESCO in Brazil, pointed out that the Organization will make available its expertise and technical knowledge in the area of museums and safeguarding cultural heritage to overcome the operational challenges of this project. "The objective is to restore this important cultural, academic and scientific institution to be available to Brazilian and international societies. The National Museum has historical value and incomparable relevance for humanity."
"The commitment of Vale Foundation to the Museu Nacional Vive project is connected to our commitment to Rio de Janeiro and the Brazilian cultural identity. We are proud to participate in this reconstruction process through such an innovative partnership. In addition to providing resources, it enables the sharing of experience and knowledge that we have accumulated in the management of museums and cultural centres. We will work hard on this technical cooperation to recover a cultural and scientific heritage that belongs to the whole of society," says Luiz Eduardo Osorio, Executive Director of Institutional Relations, Communication and Sustainability at Vale Foundation and President of the Vale Foundation Curator Council.
The National Museum suffered a major fire in September 2018. Through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, a mission of experts was organized to support local partners in the first actions. In a joint effort with the then Ministry of Culture (MinC), with MEC, UFRJ, the National Museum, the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN), the Brazilian Museum Institute (IBRAM), and the International Committee of Museums (ICOM), the mission, led by a UNESCO specialist and assisted by a specialist from the International Centre for Studies for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), as well as German technicians, contributed to the Brazilian authorities in diagnosing the situation of the National Museum and assessing the damage caused to the building and its collection.
Technical Cooperation Project Between UNESCO and Vale
Also on 03 March, UNESCO and Vale Foundation announced a technical cooperation project for the recovery of the National Museum. The first investment from Vale will be of 13.8 million reais, out of a total of 50 million reais that will be invested by the company in the project.
"This first contribution from Vale will make it possible to carry out architectural, content and museography projects, as well as the certification of environmental sustainability, among other actions, such as the restoration of integrated assets, educational activities and social mobilization. Once this stage is over, we will be able to proceed with the presentation of projects in the mechanisms of fiscal incentive to culture and raising private resources encouraged for this reconstruction," says Hugo Barreto, CEO of Fundação Vale.
The principles of the governance structure regarding the Museu Nacional Vive global project are the enhancement of memory, the preservation of heritage and the promotion of cultural diversity, which are highlighted in UNESCO normative instruments. The representation of the Organization in Brazil will continue to mobilize professionals and institutions so that this reconstruction process becomes an international reference in the area of museums.
The director of the National Museum, Alexander Kellner, highlighted the importance of signing this governance structure: "We are pleased with this announcement, which brings security to the arduous work that lies ahead. It is never too much to emphasize that the National Museum belongs to everyone and that its reconstruction is a task that must involve different segments of society. In addition to a safe building, with vibrant and inspiring exhibits for the visitor, we will also need to develop a sustainability model after the inauguration."