Latin American Voices Shape Global Dialogue at Humboldt Forum
Representatives from Mexico, Chile, and Brazil engage in discussions on cultural restitution, memory, and inclusive museum practices
July 10th, 2025
From June 16th to 21st, 2025, the Humboldt Forum in Berlin hosted the Global Cultural Assembly (GCA), a forum that convened over 80 cultural professionals, community leaders, and artists from around the world. The event provided a platform for open exchange on the role of museums in today’s societies, with a particular focus on shared heritage, participation, and international cooperation. Latin American perspectives featured prominently in the discussions, enriching the assembly’s global dimension.
Three delegates from Latin America played a particularly active role in shaping the program. Amparo Leyman Pino, a cultural producer and specialist in participatory design based in Mexico, led sessions on inclusive educational strategies and accessibility in public cultural institutions. Her work emphasized the need for museums to become more responsive to diverse audiences, particularly through storytelling formats that prioritize co-creation.
From Chile, Francisco Huichahueo, a Mapuche representative and cultural consultant, contributed to discussions on Indigenous knowledge systems, restitution, and the role of origin communities in decision-making processes. His interventions underscored the importance of recognizing Indigenous agency within international heritage debates.
Rodrigo Duarte, a Brazilian museum professional with experience in Afro-Brazilian heritage preservation, participated in panels exploring memory, colonial legacies, and institutional responsibility. He shared insights into ongoing efforts to decolonize museum narratives in Brazil and highlighted the value of community-led initiatives.
These voices were part of the Assembly’s interactive installation “Intertwined Memories”, designed to foster dialogue across regions and disciplines. The installation served as a collaborative space where delegates and visitors contributed to evolving ideas on ethical cultural practices, emphasizing listening, reciprocity, and shared authorship.
Latin American participation in the Global Cultural Assembly reflects broader efforts to strengthen ties between Germany and Latin America through cultural diplomacy. Beyond traditional institutional partnerships, these contributions point to a growing recognition of knowledge and leadership emerging from the Global South. In this context, the Assembly marked a step forward in promoting more equitable forms of cultural exchange and governance.
References
- https://www.humboldtforum.org/en/programm/event/conference-symposium/global-cultural-assembly-2025-146201/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- https://www.facebook.com/events/1039089184472738/1039089194472737/?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&ref_mechanism=feed_attachment&ref_source=newsfeed&utm_source=chatgpt.com
