International Museum Day 2026 celebrated

 On 18 May 2026, museums around the world come together to celebrate International Museum Day under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World”. The observance is coordinated by , International Council of Museums (ICOM).  The theme reaffirms the organisation’s longstanding commitment to strengthening the global museum community and advancing its social role.

According to the organizers of the observance, this year’s theme highlights the powerful role museums play as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion, and peace within and between communities worldwide.

The theme highlights the potential of museums to nurture respectful dialogue without erasing differences and there is a need to  help societies engage with complexity constructively. Open and accessible to all, museums foster diversity, sustainability, and social cohesion.

I think, for school kids, the interactive museum exhibits can work as tools for learning, more so in learning in science museums. However, this requires identifying museum resources and collaboration with schools to facilitate learning projects involving teachers, students and museum staff.

I vividly remember my visit to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Michigan, in 2017 that specializes in 'interactive exhibits with the goal of helping both children and adults discover the scientist within them by promoting science literacy through experimentation, exploration, and education'. The visit was facilitated by Dilip Nagarkar who was the host during the visit.

Some museums have created spaces for young children to explore their interests through  hands-on exhibits and activities. Many 'hands-on museums' also provide early learners interactive and multisensory opportunities as is case in the US.