THE Fiji Museum has unveiled a new security system, funded through a UNESCO partnership.
The upgrade will safeguard more than 10,000 objects in the museum’s galleries and storage areas while raising the institution to international standards.
“The project reflects a broader effort to professionalise the museum and strengthen its role as a living cultural institution,” said Armando (Andy) Lowe, the Fiji Museum Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
“Today is unveiling an acknowledgement of UNESCO’s security project right here at the Fiji Museum,” he said, describing the installation as a sign of the strength of that collaboration and a shared commitment to protecting Fiji’s national treasure.
Lowe said the museum’s work over the past year has focused on improving operations, safeguarding collections and making the museum more useful to the public.
“We have committed ourselves to a singular mission to professionalise our operations and to dynamically activate this museum so that it truly serves the people of Fiji.
“The security infrastructure may seem a little less exciting than some of the things we’ve been doing, but its cultural impact is profound.
“By modernising and professionalising our safeguarding capabilities, we are ensuring that our invaluable heritage is protected for generations to come,” he said.
He added UNESCO support would help improve emergency preparedness, risk management, safety systems and digital resilience, and the upgrade could strengthen the museum’s standing in future international collaboration and repatriation discussions.
Lowe framed the collection as something living rather than static.
“As a creator myself, I do not view the treasures in our museum as mere artefacts,” he said.
“I see them as living expressions of identity, resistance and resilience.
“The institution should be a place of inclusion and cultural dialogue. The museum should “reject the colonial gaze, honour indigenous storytelling and welcome the world to listen, learn and heal together.”
