Museums Are Not Just Heritage But Pillars Of The Cultural Future

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon at the SEA Museum Collaboration. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The museum not only functions as a place to store historical artifacts, but is also an important space for cultural learning, collaboration between nations, and triggers for sustainable development.

In an era that continues to change rapidly, museums are required to transform to remain relevant and able to reach all levels of society, including the younger generation.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said the museum must be an agent of change and an inclusive center of dialogue.

"The museum is not only a guardian of cultural heritage, but must also be able to become a driving force for sustainable development and cross-cultural communication. Therefore, forums such as the SEA Museum Collaboration are very important as a form of our collective commitment in transforming the role of museums," he said in Jakarta,

The statement was made at the opening of the SEA Museum Collaboration: Innovating Public Museum Program for a Rapidly Changing Society, which was held to commemorate International Museum Day 2025. This forum brings together various parties from Southeast Asian museums to strengthen regional innovation and collaboration in facing the challenges of the times.

Fadli emphasized that the current museum cannot only function as a place to store passive artifacts. In the era of digital disruption, a high climate crisis, and social dynamics, museums must be present as an interactive and dynamic learning space for society.

"With more than 2,500 museums in Southeast Asia, our biggest challenge is how to design an interesting and inclusive program for all generations and social backgrounds. The solidarity between museums in this region is important as a starting point for building long-term initiatives," he stressed.

He also highlighted the importance of museums reaching the younger generation. Based on survey data from the Indonesian Museum and Cultural Heritage Public Service Agency in 2025, the majority of museum visitors in Indonesia are in the age range of 1824 years, which covers 37 percent of the total visitors.

Therefore, Fadli assessed the need for a new approach in how the museum compiles curation, delivers narratives, and interacts with young visitors so that the visit experience is more relevant and memorable.

More than just a historical center, museums also need to play an active role in responding to crucial issues such as environmental crises and social inequality. Through community empowerment programs, museums can be part of solutions to global challenges.

Meanwhile, the First Secretary of the Singapore Embassy, Roystan Ang, welcomed this initiative as a collaborative forum for inter-museums in the region.

"This forum is an important platform to exchange ideas and experiences. With open discussions, we can work together to find solutions to the complex challenges we face today and in the future," said Roystan.