Highlighting the impacts of societal polarisation, the statement underscores the essential role museums play in fostering democratic values and open dialogue. It also reinforces NEMO’s dedication to supporting museums in upholding these principles, ensuring they remain trusted institutions within society.
The statement is informed by discussions from the recent NEMO European Museum Conference 'Can we talk? Museums facing polarisation’ and findings from an August 2024 survey conducted by NEMO. Both underscore that political pressure, both direct and indirect, can lead museums to self-censor their programming and communication, particularly on sensitive topics.
Read the full statement below, also available as pdf download.
Museums under pressure
Berlin, 20 November 2024
This year’s NEMO, the Network of European Museum Organisations, European Museum Conference ‘Can we talk? Museums facing polarisation’ brought up for discussion the ever-increasing trend of polarisation across European societies and its impact on the museum sector. The conference highlighted the difficult position museums currently hold, which oftentimes results in unwarranted pressure on their operations. The conference discussions complement the findings of a survey carried out by NEMO in August 2024 underscoring the fact that political pressure, both direct and indirect, sometimes leads museums to apply self-censorship in their programming and communication particularly in the case of sensitive topics.
At this year’s conference the European museum community debated how museums are reacting to such circumstances and in what ways they are striving to navigate today’s increasingly polarised world while upholding values that contribute to just and more cohesive societies.
NEMO is concerned that the complex and ever-evolving trends of societal polarisation and mistrust in our current frameworks may lead to a critical erosion of European museums’ standing as trusted institutions, undermining their ability to act impartially and operate independently. Museums have a unique obligation to their communities and to society at large to present fact-based, authentic, and independent information. NEMO is committed to upholding these principles in its work with museums and museum organisations in Europe.
As a network representing over 30,000 museums, NEMO will continue to serve as a reference point for museums navigating challenging circumstances by providing the space for exchange and the support in defence of the values and principles that make museums society’s trusted institutions. NEMO shall continue to work with the European museum community to consolidate its role in fostering environments of open exchange, framed by the values of democracy and truthfulness.
NEMO remains firmly committed to stand for, with, and by its members in cultivating possible futures that are desirable and shared by many and navigating complex and challenging discussions without absolutes. It shall continue to foster open exchange that respects each museums’ autonomy and unique role in society.
The NEMO Executive Board
Petra Havu - Finnish Museums Association
Vera Carasso - Dutch Museums Association
Paulina Florjanowicz - National Institute for Museums, Poland
Sandro Debono - University of Malta
Zane Grīnvalde - Latvian Museums Association
Sergio Servellón - ICOM Belgium Flanders
Sylvia Willkomm - German Museums Association
Museum and history friends: A new report from the Network of European Museum Organisations offers useful arguments and practical tips for making museums a respectful and welcoming place for LGBTQIA people, our cultures and our history. Download a PDF of "LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in European Museums" at the link below.
