From September 23 to 26, 2024, Jakarta hosted the Museum Forward forum, a groundbreaking event that united museum and heritage professionals from Indonesia and around the world.
The event was organised by EUNIC Indonesia in partnership with ICOM (International Council of Museums) and supported by the Delegation of the European Union and various Indonesian partners, including ministries and government agencies. It featured a diverse range of activities, including museum visits, a public conference, and professional capacity-building workshops. Over 700 people registered for the event, with more than 300 participants attending the public conference and 148 engaging in specialised workshops.
The forum was designed to explore the evolving role of museums, emphasising new narratives, encouraging more inclusive and diverse approaches to museum practices and collaboration within the global museum landscape. Experts from 17 provinces across Indonesia, alongside international speakers, shared their insights into sustainable museum practices, curatorial strategies, and the integration of museums into broader cultural and social dialogues. The event also provided ample opportunities for networking, leading to new partnerships between museums, cultural organisations, and independent cultural agents.
The success of Museum Forward was marked not only by its immediate outcomes but also by the long-term partnerships it helped create. Participants enhanced their skills in museum management, curation, and risk management, particularly through 14 specialised workshops. The event also served as a platform for fostering collaboration, facilitating future exchanges between Indonesian and international museums.
With the support of international partners like ICOM and local institutions such as the Indonesian Heritage Agency and the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency - BRIN, the forum’s success sets the stage for continued collaboration and development within Indonesia's museum sector, with plans for future editions to expand on the themes explored.
As GKR Bendara of the Museum Kraton Yogyakarta noted:
We gained valuable insights into achieving international standards in museums and the importance of sustainability in museum operations, which remains a challenging concept in Indonesia.
Irfan Mahmud, Head of the Research Centre for Prehistoric and Historical Archaeology at BRIN, added:
This conference has been a turning point in how we view the role of museums in sustainable development. It has changed outdated perceptions and emphasised the need for educated and innovative approaches.
