Every year, on 18 May, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) organises International Museum Day (IMD), a global event highlighting the transformative role of museums in society. In 2026, IMD will explore “Museums Uniting a Divided World”, focusing on how museums can act as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion, and peace within and between communities worldwide.

This year’s theme also guides the celebrations of ICOM’s 80th anniversary, marking a milestone in the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting museums and their role in society.

Museums are more than spaces of preservation—they are trusted public spaces where people encounter stories, objects, and one another. In times of social fragmentation, polarisation, and unequal access to knowledge and culture, museums help rebuild connections across generations, communities, and borders.

Rather than erasing differences, museums create the conditions in which they can be understood and respected. By safeguarding heritage and memory, offering opportunities for learning and reflection, and providing welcoming spaces for diverse voices, museums foster dialogue, inclusion, and peace.