The first principle in the Code of Ethics is Public Engagement and Public Benefit.
Where public engagement is defined as a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.
Where public benefit is defined as any activity or process that delivers meaningful benefit to the public an organisation serves.
Your own organisation or the organisations you work with may define public benefit in its mission, vision, values or strategy.
The Museums Association’s Museums Change Lives campaign outlines three ways museums can think about and deliver public benefit:
- Enhancing Health and Wellbeing
- Creating Better Places to Live and Work
- Inspiring Engagement, Debate and Reflection
This will be covered in greater depth shortly.