UNESCO forum in Hangzhou spotlights efforts of museums to be engaging and accessible

Over 100 museum directors, curators, and cultural leaders gathered at the third UNESCO High-Level Forum for Museums on 24th April in Hangzhou, China to explore how museums can better serve as platforms for lifelong learning.

The UNESCO High-Level Forum for Museums, themed around museums as educational hubs, highlighted the important contribution of museums to the protection, safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage, social and economic development and the enhancement of inclusive education.

Following the previous editions organised in 2016 and 2021, and in line with UNESCO's ongoing efforts to support museums worldwide, the third edition of the High-Level Forum for Museums aimed to promote global dialogue and share international expertise on the central role of museums in contemporary society and sustainable development.

The forum heard how institutions such as the Brownlee Riverside Museum in the United Kingdom have made all 300,000 of their items accessible online, breaking physical boundaries. Others, such as the Barbados National Museum and the National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology and History of Peru, are bringing cultural experiences into public spaces through mobile exhibits and online activities.

The Seychelles National Museum is engaging hard-to-reach groups with initiatives like museum-in-a-box programs and exhibitions in hotels and scenic spots. Meanwhile, Argentina's Southern Biennale is expanding its reach to 30 countries, blending global and local participation.

A growing trend is participatory curation. Museums are increasingly collaborating with schools, communities, and artists to make exhibitions more interactive and audience-driven. From co-designed school visits in Africa to the digital upgrades at Mexico's Interactive Museum of Economics, institutions are adapting to younger, tech-savvy generations.

Museum leaders agreed that the future of lifelong learning lies in respect, innovation, and creating space for all voices - bringing culture closer to everyday life.

Building on the UNESCO Global Framework for Culture and Arts Education adopted in 2024, the High-Level Forum for Museums provided an opportunity for museum professionals to discuss the practical aspects of implementing this framework.

The City of Hangzhou, a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art and home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 224 museums, serves as a dynamic cultural epicentre. The city also actively promotes cultural exchanges and encourages global dialogue on cultural preservation.

Image. Credit UNESCO