The 'applied research' referred to in the following paper was not done by me personally. It is the result of years of practice and innovation by dozens of imaginative professionals, working in the field, with limited means, fighting against the misunderstandings, or even the hostility of the authorities. I have only been an observer, even during my days as general secretary of ICOM. I now keep in touch because I am interested in the new museology as a tool for local and community development, which is my current preoccupation.