In the second half of 2025, the international initiative “Strengthening Peaceful and Resilient Communities in Museums and Libraries” took place, bringing together museums and libraries as key contributors to societal resilience, peace, and social cohesion. As part of the initiative, an international conference was held in Lviv, Ukraine, along with a series of four webinars, bringing together professionals from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine.
On 28 May, the international conference “Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals in Museums and Libraries III” took place in Lviv, highlighting the essential role of museums and libraries in strengthening communities, particularly in times of crisis and conflict. The conference venue – the Lviv Cultural Center – and the support of UNESCO served as a clear expression of solidarity with Ukraine.
Baiba Moļņika, Secretary-General of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, emphasized:
“Libraries and museums are places where people can find answers to questions that affect their well-being. Their staff act as messengers who help highlight the role of culture in building peaceful and resilient societies, in line with the idea of the UNESCO Constitution – to build peace in the minds of people.”
The conference also highlighted the protection of cultural heritage in crisis situations, the importance of international cooperation, and the vital role of non-governmental organizations in fostering social dialogue.
The conference recording is available here:
The conference concluding document, summarizing the key insights of participants, is available here.
From 16 September to 4 November 2025, a four-part online webinar series “Strengthening Peaceful and Resilient Communities in Museums and Libraries” was held. The series was organized by the Latvian Museums Association, the Latvian Librarians Association, and the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, with support from UNESCO’s Participation Programme.
The webinar series brought together museum and library professionals from various countries, encouraging in-depth discussion on the role of museums and libraries in promoting peace, social resilience, and inclusive communities. The discussions and practical examples were based on the methodology of the handbook “Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Museums and Libraries”, developed in 2023 with UNESCO’s support by Henry McGhie (Curating Tomorrow) in collaboration with museum and library professionals from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Moldova, and Georgia.
The webinars were held in English and moderated by Dr. Diana Walters and Henry McGhie. Dr. Diana Walters, a UK-based moderator, researcher, prison chaplain, and peace and social justice activist, shared more than 35 years of international experience, while Henry McGhie provided a structured perspective on the practical integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into the daily work of museums and libraries.
The first webinar, “Building Peaceful, Resilient Communities: A Vital Component of Sustainable Development”, highlighted the importance of peace as an integral prerequisite for sustainable development, emphasizing that peace is not merely the absence of violence but an active process that must be nurtured in everyday life.
The webinar recording is available here:
The second webinar, “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Working with SDG 16”, introduced participants to the opportunities offered by Sustainable Development Goal 16 to systematically plan, implement, and evaluate the contribution of museums and libraries to promoting peace and resilience.
The webinar recording is available here:
The third webinar, “Museums, Libraries and Peaceful Communities: Practical Examples”, presented concrete case studies and experience-based stories demonstrating how participatory, non-formal, and lifelong learning approaches help build trust, dialogue, and community cohesion.
The webinar recording is available here:
The final webinar, “How to Promote Peace in Times of Conflict”, focused on the importance of language and communication, empathy, and active listening practices, highlighting the role of museums and libraries as safe spaces for people in complex and uncertain times.
The webinar recording is available here:
The webinar series is part of a long-term regional cooperation that began in 2020, when museum and library professionals from the Baltic states joined forces to strengthen the role of these institutions in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. This cooperation has continued through international conferences, experience-sharing events, and the involvement of new partners, with particular attention given to peace as a central principle of the 2030 Agenda and one of the most significant challenges facing the region.
The project “Fostering peaceful and resilient communities through museums and libraries” is implemented with the financial support of the UNESCO Participation Programme 2024-2025.
Contact information:
Inga Surgunte
Latvian Museum Association
E: inga.surgunte@skaidrs.org
T: +37129953235
