Policy refers to agreed-upon processes or ideas that serve as the basis for decision-making. It's not just the Government that sets policy; all organisations establish processes or develop procedures and guidance that influence how things are done.
We represent the interests of conservation and conservators on the issues that most affect our cultural heritage, using our expertise to advance Icon’s vision for cultural heritage to be valued and accessible, and for its future to be enhanced and safeguarded by excellence in conservation.
Icon’s advocacy and policy work is driven by this vision, ensuring that our positions, priorities, and actions support the long-term protection and sustainability of cultural heritage and the profession that cares for it.
Icon operates at a range of levels to drive meaningful change that supports our members and protects collections. For policy to be credible, it must be underpinned by research, which in turn informs strategy and shapes the approach to campaigning for that change.
Success in this area can take many forms. While we certainly aim to have a seat at the table when policy is being defined, much of our most impactful work occurs on the periphery. A positive policy outcome could be as simple as altering a word in a document, resulting in a beneficial change for a small group of individuals as well as the sector as a whole.