Transformational Encounters: Reflections on Cultural Participation and Ecomuseology

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between cultural participation, community wellbeing and global sustainability. By reframing notions of cultural participation within a perspective that stresses interconnection and deep reflection as key to wellbeing, the author questions the core values that guide, govern and fund cultural organizations, policies and practices. The paper presents ten quasi-fictive scenarios that explore the dynamics of meaningful participation. They creatively illustrate the importance of an ecomuseological perspective in which culture is understood as the foundation for increased human consciousness and responsible action to share limited planetary resources.