Baku:A panel discussion titled 'Museums and Heritage Institutions as Participatory Spaces for Inclusivity, Dialogue, and Social Solidarity' took place during the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in collaboration with UNESCO and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture. The panel focused on how museums can enhance intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and social solidarity.

Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture, emphasized the significance of cultural heritage preservation in promoting international cooperation and dialogue. She highlighted restoration projects initiated by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva as vital to cultural diplomacy.

The panel featured speakers like Nasir Al Darmaki, Vice-President of the International Council of Museums; Nicole Dowd, Head of Public Programs at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art; Amina Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum; and Jo-Anne Sunderland Bowe, Community Partnerships Manager at the British Museum.

The discussion underscored the need to evolve museums from their traditional roles into spaces that incorporate the experiences and viewpoints of various communities. The goal was to reinforce the role of museums and cultural heritage institutions in fostering inclusivity, empathy, and peaceful coexistence, and to incorporate intercultural dialogue into governance frameworks.