Culture moves people
(Image placeholder) - split image on culture, people, movement
People move systems
A borderless museum
Museum for the United Nations – UN Live is an agile extension of the United Nations. We are an unconventional, independent, borderless museum, with a mission to unleash the power of popular culture and dialogue to include and engage people towards positive action.
Our vision is to connect people everywhere to the work and values of the United Nations, and help build a world where everyone feels agency to contribute to a positive future for people and the planet.
We can’t expect everyone to become an activist. Instead, we meet the many where they are — via culture and with joyful actions that give form to our hope for a better world.
UN Live
Sparking empathy and agency through popular culture
The world is at a tipping point. The crisis of climate, conflict, declining biodiversity and polarisation are all interconnected. To avoid irreversible damage, the world needs systemic change – in combination with individual action, including behavioural and mindset change by the many. This way, we the people can create demand that pushes business and policy leaders to generate sustainable, just policies — at scale.
That is where Museum for the United Nations – UN Live lives. We seek to build more empathy, agency and a sense of global belonging. This is what we call a ‘Global We’, inspired by the UN Charter’s opening “We the peoples...,”
Experiences that move people
Working with leading organisations, brands and cultural platforms, UN Live design large-scale cultural moments and deep, human dialogues which connects people across borders, generations and opinions.
Rooted in behaviour change science, we in believe inclusive experiences that doesn’t just reflect culture, but shift it — helping people find new ways to see themselves and their role in the world.
Programme updates
Flipping the script of what a museum can be
At Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, we have taken the concept of a museum to a new level. Instead of a centralised building, UN Live is ‘borderless’ in the way we reach people – with no building but with global reach.
Our work is designed to move people to action through the things they love, making complex issues feel more relevant by igniting reflections and social engagement through popular culture. We push the notion of what a museum can be by bringing our cultural exhibitions out into the world, meeting people where they already are – on their screens, in their headphones, in arenas or around the dining table.
“I deeply believe we must find new and creative ways of engaging citizens in the United Nations mission. The UN Live Museum is an important step forward in our efforts to educate and engage.”
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Our values
We believe in the power of everyone to drive change. In our pursuit of our mission, Museum for the United Nations – UN Live subscribes to values that challenge negative norms, trigger innovation, and resonate with the core of humanity.
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We believe in the force of kindness not as a mere nicety, but as a revolutionary agent of change. Kindness challenges entrenched norms, dismantles barriers, and nurtures connections across diverse peoples. Our acts of kindness transcend surface gestures; they are the driving force behind a more inclusive, empathetic and just society. Through kindness, we cast ripples of compassion that shape a better world.
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In an uncertain world, we dare to create spaces that foster trust and innovation. We grapple with vulnerability, embracing it not as weakness, but as a wellspring of strength. We learn from setbacks, knowing that from failures spring learnings and the resilient spirit of progress. Our spaces are sanctuaries for unfiltered ideas, unconventional approaches, and audacious dreams that become reality. Through bravery, we forge pathways to solutions that defy the ordinary.
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Authenticity is our beacon, guiding us towards open communication, honest relationships, and trust. We embrace imperfections, own our vulnerabilities, and know good things come from them. By being true to ourselves, we empower others to do the same. In our authenticity, we weave connections that transcend borders, cultures, and backgrounds. Through our authenticity, we rewrite the narrative of genuine, lasting change.
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In response to the urgent need for rapid change in the world, we recognize the imperative for swift and meaningful action. Our organisation operates with a resolute sense of purpose, acknowledging that the traditional approach of enforcing control to drive rapid change has proven ineffective. Instead, we adopt a dynamic strategy by identifying, curating, and combining existing successful initiatives, serving as a catalyst for urgent transformation both within our organisation and on a global scale.
Our people and partners
Museum for the United Nations – UN Live is made possible thanks to the collaborative effort of hundreds of people and organisations from all disciplines and every corner of the world.
Our small, global team, together with a professional board of directors and partners across the globe, is dedicated to making a positive social impact and driving action.
Support our mission
Join us in unleashing the power of popular culture to inspire positive change and drive real-world action. Your donation helps us create bold initiatives, amplify unheard voices, and turn cultural moments into movements for a better future.
Stay in touch
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