The 2025 Peace Broker Prize was awarded to Irena Ruzhin from National Institution Institute and Museum Bitola.

Through Irena’s ongoing work—both at her home institution and within the Balkan Museum Access Group—Irena Ruzhin is helping to shift how cultural institutions in the Western Balkans engage with disability, ensuring true participation.

From co-creating exhibitions with disabled people to reimagining programs that center their voices and lived experiences, Dr. Ruzhin exemplifies how museums can become places of belonging, dignity, and dialogue.

Her thoughtful and consistent approach is a strong reminder that cultural heritage belongs to everyone, and that inclusion and accessibility lie at the foundation of museum work.

The Peace Broker Prize honors individuals whose work embodies empathy, equity, and action.

The award ceremony took place at the Zagreb City Museum, concluding this year’s “Meet, See, Do” conference on 29 May 2025.

 

“I’m truly honored to receive the Peace Broker Prize 2025 awarded by the Balkan Museum Network (by International jury). This recognition affirms my professional commitment and sends a strong message of support for the values I stand for – inclusion, dialogue, and equal rights for all.

I’m especially grateful to my colleague, Željka Sušić from the Typhlological Museum in Zagreb, for nominating me, with the support of 10 Macedonian national museums

I dedicate this award to my amazing team and to all people with disabilities we’ve worked with over the years- with trust, collaboration, and true friendship.

I express my deep gratitude to the Balkan Museum Network, which provided me with access to international training, workshops, participation in international projects and conferences on the topic of accessibility, as well as support for numerous projects focused on accessibility, inclusion, and networking. I also thank the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for their support of accessibility-related projects. I know that we can be a positive example, there are people who tirelessly, dedicatedly, and sincerely build bridges that connect and unite individuals, communities, and even entire regions.

I continue, every day, to live with the intention of creating conditions that enable spaces for dialogue, equal opportunities, and a sense of belonging for different stakeholders in the community – all through the lens of museum work.“ stated Irena Ruzin

BMN is grateful to our honorary member Dr Diana Walters for initiating this prize in 2024.