Peace and Human Rights

As museums evolve amidst a changing society and fluctuating public policies, so do their social responsibilities.

Museums, by addressing contemporary societal issues, past and current injustices as well as difficult histories, have an important role to play in supporting peace and human rights. They can do so by becoming a space for dialogue among and between diverse communities, and by fostering creative problem-solving. ICOM and its network seek to promote these discussions through mobilising the international museum community and its many stakeholders.

The “ICOM Statement for Peace” is a public declaration issued by the Executive Board of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in June 2025. It reaffirms ICOM’s core mission and values in the face of current global crises and highlights the role of museums and the museum community in promoting peace, mutual understanding, and cultural preservation.

The statement was issued following the 176th Session of the ICOM Executive Board, held in Paris on 27 June 2025, in response to contemporary global events. It underscores ICOM’s longstanding commitment to preserving cultural heritage worldwide and uniting professionals and institutions globally. The statement was drafted and signed by the members of ICOM’s Executive Board, including the President and Vice-Presidents representing a wide range of countries.

Graphic design logo developed to promote the ICOM for Peace through the ICOM network.

The ICOM Statement for Peace was widely shared across the ICOM network, with national, regional, and international committees disseminating it through their websites, social media channels, newsletters, and other communication platforms. Beyond institutional sharing, the statement was also amplified by individual ICOM members and social media followers, who relayed it through their professional and personal networks. This broad circulation reflects the strong resonance of the statement’s message within the museum community, helping to extend its reach well beyond ICOM’s central channels and into diverse cultural and professional contexts worldwide.

ICOM Statement for Peace

At the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), held in Dubai, a dedicated “ICOM for Peace” session highlighted the organisation’s commitment to promoting peace and fostering dialogue through the museum sector. The session brought together international experts, cultural leaders, and practitioners who shared perspectives on the role of museums in addressing conflict, preserving memory, and supporting reconciliation processes. Discussions emphasised the capacity of museums to act as spaces for healing, mutual understanding, and cross-cultural exchange, reinforcing their relevance in responding to current global challenges.

This session also aligned with ICOM’s broader institutional commitment to peace and human rights, as reflected in its 2025 Statement for Peace, which underscores the role of museums in uniting communities and safeguarding cultural heritage worldwide

The theme for the 2026 International Museum Day, organised annually by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and celebrated each year on 18 May, will be “Museums uniting a divided world.” This theme underscores the potential of museums to act as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, highlighting their role in fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion and peace within and between communities worldwide.

IMD 2026

On the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and in the perspective of the Human Rights day on the 10^th of December, ICOM organised a webinar with the aim of encouraging meaningful actions and promote the role of museums in advancing and protecting human rights. The initiative is also in line with ICOM’s commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda by engaging global network in Sustainable Development Goal’s (SDGs) implementation through a focus on human rights issues.

The speakers were Henry McGhie (Curating Tomorrow), Jane Klinger (Chair of ICMEMOHRI), FIHRM (Federation of International Human Rights Museums)

Watch the webinar recording