Silk Road News Network//

Toward Building a Community of Civilizations: A New Vision for International Museum Cooperation

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With thanks and appreciation to the China Association for International Understanding CAFIU for the kind invitation to participate in this momentous event.

First, I commend all Chinese initiatives and endeavors aimed at promoting understanding, rapprochement, and mutual learning among the peoples of the world, and enhancing dialogue among civilizations, especially after the World Civilization Initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping two years ago.

In a world facing increasing transnational challenges, the need to promote mutual understanding among peoples and civilizations has become more urgent than ever. Museums, as repositories of shared human heritage, stand out as powerful cultural institutions capable of bridging differences and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. International museum cooperation has evolved beyond simple exhibition exchanges to become a cornerstone in building a “community of civilizations” grounded in dialogue, mutual learning, and respect.

1. Museums as Living Memory of Civilizations

Museums are not merely spaces for displaying artifacts; they are documentary and educational institutions that play a vital role in preserving the collective memory of societies. They offer historical narratives that embody cultural identities and highlight civilizational diversity. Through documentation, research, and exhibition, museums help communities reconnect with their roots, while also offering visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds the opportunity to better understand others.

2. International Museum Cooperation: Goals and Prospects

Cooperation between museums across nations serves as a strategic tool for fostering civilizational dialogue. Key objectives include:
– Protection of shared human heritage: through collaboration in restoration, digital documentation, and combating the illicit trade in antiquities.
– Cultural and intellectual exchange: via international exhibitions, expert exchange programs, and joint research initiatives.
– Bridge-building and mutual understanding: by exposing audiences to the heritage of others and promoting deeper insight into diverse historical and cultural contexts.

3. Mutual Learning Through Museums: A Gateway to Understanding the Other

Museums play a central role in promoting mutual learning by providing indirect knowledge about lifestyles, religions, sciences, and arts across different eras and regions. When the achievements of one civilization are displayed in another country, they challenge stereotypes and encourage the formation of more balanced and inclusive perceptions of “the other.” This type of learning is a powerful tool in confronting isolationist tendencies and exclusionary cultural discourses.

4. Museums as Bridges Between Arab and Chinese Civilizations

Both Arab and Chinese civilizations possess rich heritages that have shaped the course of human history. Museums today act as platforms for rapprochement between these two ancient cultures through practical initiatives such as:
– Organizing joint exhibitions on the ancient and modern Silk Road.
– Collaborating on digital documentation of artifacts and manuscripts.
– Implementing training and exchange programs for curators and researchers.

For example, as part of this Arab-Chinese cooperation, the “Top of the Pyramid: Ancient Egyptian Civilization” exhibition was held last year at the Shanghai National Museum in China. The exhibition featured artifacts from the collections of several prestigious Egyptian archaeological museums, telling the story of the greatness of ancient Egyptian civilization and the lives of the ancient Egyptians.

This example illustrates the important role museums can play in cultural diplomacy, helping to strengthen emotional and intellectual ties between peoples and showcasing the unity of human destiny amid diverse origins and experiences.

Conclusion
Building a future rooted in coexistence and understanding requires moving beyond political and economic discourses toward deeper, more sustainable cultural tools. International museum cooperation stands out as one of the most effective of these tools, given its capacity to shape collective awareness and promote values of dialogue and respect.
As the world moves toward a multipolar, multicultural reality, museums remain ideal gateways for constructing a community of civilizations—a community built not on competition or conflict, but on knowledge and mutual appreciation of humanity’s shared legacy.

ABDELKADER KHELIL

Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Silk Road News Network,  President of the Ambassadors Without Borders  Cultural Association in Algeria