Brazil has a number of biological, paleontological and genetic resource collections in several research institutes and universities. Although, collectively, they encompass an important swathe of Brazil's biodiversity, their recognition, maintenance and storage are still more dependent on each curator's efforts than on those of the institutions that hold these collections.

The 1st International Seminar for the Management of Scientific Collections, Brasilia, Brazil, will provide an opportunity for professionals from Brazil and abroad to exchange scientific and technological experiences, as well as engaging in capacity building, updating and awakening interest in professionals and students. At the event there will be lectures, evaluation of the status quo of collections, workshops and short courses, and thus various types of interaction among the participants are expected.

The lectures and short courses will contribute to professional capacity building and updating as well as awakening vocational interest. The evaluation of the status quo of collections will promote the sharing of experiences, thus allowing the discussion and planning of solutions for curatorial challenges, conditions and practices in Brazil. Finally, the workshop will help to present solutions for the integration, maintenance and management of collections, also highlighting the use of these collections in fostering research and exhibitions that will develop a scientific and artistic culture in society.

Together, the activities at this scientific event will work towards a proposal for the creation of a Natural History Museum in Brasília.