Page 354 - Proceedings book

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1.1.3. Museums' Role in Transitional Justice

In post-conflict societies, transitional justice addresses mass violence and human
rights abuses by focusing on healing, democratic rebuilding, and long-term peace. It

operates through four pillars: truth-seeking, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-
recurrence (USIP, 2011). Museums play a crucial role in advancing these pillars by

transforming collective memory into a tool for reconciliation. They support truth-

seeking by presenting diverse narratives and challenging dominant histories, promote
justice by acknowledging abuses and amplifying marginalized voices, and serve as

agents of reparation through respectful curation. Museums also contribute to non-
recurrence by educating the public about violence’s causes and consequences.

However, their effectiveness depends on factors such as curatorial independence and

the political context in which they operate. Thoughtfully curated, museums become
active agents in shaping a just and peaceful future.

1.1.4. Museums and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 16)

Museums are increasingly recognized as critical actors in achieving Sustainable
Development Goal 16, which seeks to foster peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. By

preserving contested histories, promoting dialogue around human rights, and

encouraging collective remembrance, museums strengthen the cultural foundations
necessary for sustainable peace. Their role extends beyond education to active

engagement in social justice and community reconciliation efforts. Museums that

address issues of conflict, violence, and historical trauma contribute to truth-seeking
and non-recurrence—two pillars of transitional justice essential for building strong

institutions. Museums are pivotal in fostering inclusive, peaceful societies and
advancing all dimensions of sustainable development (ICOM, 2019, pp. 42–48), and

through their commitment to memory and dialogue, museums play an indispensable
role in the SDG framework (UNESCO, 2021, pp. 16-18).

1.2. Problem Statement and Significance
Although museums are increasingly recognized as agents of collective memory and

cultural education, their role in advancing transitional justice in post-conflict societies
remains underexplored. In contexts like Sri Lanka, museum narratives can either

foster reconciliation by acknowledging diverse experiences of violence or reinforce
exclusion through selective, politicized storytelling. The ways museums shape

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