Research Finding: Redefining the Museum — ICOM's 2022 Definition and Its Southeast Asian Reception

In August 2022, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) approved a new definition of “museum” during its 26th General Conference in Prague. This followed years of debate and consultation, as earlier definitions were deemed insufficient to address contemporary issues of inclusion, decolonisation, and sustainability (ICOM, 2022a). The updated definition marks a shift from seeing museums as primarily custodians of objects toward recognising them as participatory, socially responsible institutions. This essay reviews the global changes in definition and explores their reception and implications within Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia.