Museums as cultural institutions often play a more important role in peacebuilding processes than it might initially seem. This is because their work often remains in the background as a long-term, slower, yet continuous effort that creates deep changes in how the past is represented, interpreted, understood, and viewed—and in how we position ourselves in relation to it. In the present moment, while numerous active armed conflicts are ongoing around the world, it is more important than ever to highlight individuals and institutions that promote and advocate for a culture of peace and nonviolence, and that create space for marginalized voices in all spheres of public life—something museums inherently do within their field of work. We must not forget that many museums are engaged not only in preservation, but also in the interpretation of difficult histories, which makes them important and reliable places for learning and confronting the past (and the present) on a broader societal level.
On a personal level, the fact that I am a recipient of the award represents a confirmation that the values I hold and live by align with the values of the community I want to contribute to and where I wish to see and create long-term change.
It is a validation of the time and energy I invest in my community (and beyond) through my work.
In order to remain or become places of learning, museums must be unwavering in their values—open, trustworthy, and safe spaces where the interpretation of the past is not instrumentalized for building national identities, not politicized, and not used to deny or refute historical facts, nor to assert the supremacy of one group over another. Instead, they should remain or become places where we uncover mutual influences, the enrichment of one culture by another, and embrace this shared heritage as our own—while at the same time acknowledging the mistakes of the past. Only by being free from the burden and errors of past generations—refusing to let them define us or shape our present identities—can we move forward toward a more peaceful future for the entire Western Balkans.
The Peace Broker Prize was initiated in 2024 by Dr. Diana Walters, an honorary and founding member of the Balkan Museum Network, to recognize the crucial role of museum professionals in fostering peace and building bridges across the Western Balkans.
Find out how to nominate a colleague until the deadline of 07 May in this article.