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Interview

	Joan Munt Vice-president of the Catalan Museum of Science, Technology and Industrial Archaeology Association by Pilar García
“At the mNACTEC Association I discovered the strength of civil society"	The Museum of Science and Technology Association came about as part of an initiative of the College of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia to create a space for the curation, study and spread of information about a period essential to the country's contemporary history. The association was founded with the basic objective of creating a museum that was – and still is – a pioneering and innovative initiative. Joan Munt who now holds, amongst other offices, the vice-presidency of this association was one of the people to take part in the development and promotion of the national museum project which has now become an international point of reference.
Looking sensible, with a business-like air and a piercing gaze, he calls to mind a Catalan businessman who has invested most of his life in getting a job well done. An executive with IBM for forty years, he also chose to use his time to organise and encourage projects requiring the active participation of civil society. He has dedicated himself to organisational activities linked with promoting the world of technology, scientific culture and industrial heritage, always believing in the idea of associations as a way of helping society to improve.	Why at the end of the 1980s did you want to form part of the Catalan Museum of Science, Technology and Industrial Architecture Association? The initiative came out of a commission from the College of Industrial Engineers . I got involved in a project that was already under way. At the time I was interested in getting involved in an area that didn't involve either the world of computing or pure engineering. It was an opportunity to meet an array of different professionals with very different ways of looking at the world. What role did you play in the consolidation of the Catalan Science and Technology Museum's position? For ten years I had the task of presiding over the Association and during this period I took part in the foundation of the museum as an independent entity. One of my tasks was to support the museum and act as a representative of the Industrial Engineers on the museum's governing council. That's when I discovered the strength that civil society could have when it's organised in pursuit of a goal. It was also during my presidency that Eusebi Casanelles was officially appointed as the museum's director. What has the Association concerned itself with in recent years? The Association's plan when it was started was to achieve the museum's creation; once this goal had been achieved, the strategy has been to help the museum grow, to achieve its full potential, at the same time as launching activities to provide information about and protect Catalonia's industrial heritage. The Association has been open to any group of people interested in preserving industrial heritage, so we have made room for people from different backgrounds and professions, which has been very enriching. The last few years, the Association has been working hard for the integration and recognition of science and technology in the world of culture. We're very pleased because just a few weeks ago Parliament approved the Culture and Arts Council Law that, for the first time, includes science and technology as part of culture. What medium-term projects does the Association have? Analysing the possible means to give support to and collaborate with the mNACTEC Regional System. Other important concerns are: getting the Museum Foundation under way, lobbying for the creation of a law to defend industrial heritage and its complete integration into the world of education. We'll also continue to help out mNACTEC with the promotion of new activities.