Original article: «Un siglo de voces juveniles»: Exhibición en Museo de la Memoria y los DDHH transforma la historia de la participación infantojuvenil en una experiencia interactiva

A Century of Youth Voices: Interactive Exhibit at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights Transforms Youth Participation History into an Engaging Experience

Can the history of social movements turn into an emotional, experiential journey?

Based on the premise that childhood and youth have been constant drivers of democratic development in Chile, the interactive exhibition «A Century of Youth Voices: From Scouts, Glass Workers, and Penguins» is now showcased at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights.

This initiative, driven by Fundación Momento Ciudadano in strategic alliance with the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, the School of Design at Diego Portales University, and the National Historical Museum, is funded by the Public Science program from the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation. It will be open to the public free of charge from July 10 to September 13, 2026.

Designed specifically for youth aged 13 to 17, but suitable for all ages, this exhibit aims to transcend traditional historical learning barriers through an immersive journey across three pivotal periods of youth organization.

The journey begins in the early 20th century, examining the emergence of the Boy Scout movement in Chile alongside the harsh realities faced by the «glass worker children,» who challenged child labor by striking during landmark events such as the one at the National Glass Factory in 1925.

The exhibition then transports visitors to the decades from 1930 to 1970, transforming the space into an area that highlights the significance of student centers and federations within their educational communities.

Finally, the exhibit concludes with a powerful station dedicated to student movements between 1980 and 2006, reviving secondary resistance during the military dictatorship, the «Backpack Protest» of 2001, and the «Penguin Revolution» of 2006, challenging viewers to take a stance on social protests and the historical demand for quality education.

In a context where, according to the Children’s Advocate, 33.4% of children and adolescents feel that adults take little to no account of their thoughts or feelings, the exhibition has been conceived and developed as a collective effort, with many participants being children and youth.

On one side, while Fundación Momento Ciudadano and the National Historical Museum managed the historical research, the Museum Objects and Spaces Workshop at Diego Portales University, made up of nearly 30 students from the School of Design and an interdisciplinary teaching team, handled the exhibit’s design and assembly.

Additionally, the project received ongoing advice from a Citizens’ Voices Advisory Council, comprised of children and young people, who validated the concepts and relevance of the exhibit’s components.

Javier Pascual, the Director of Education at Fundación Momento Ciudadano and coordinator of this project, emphasizes the project’s objectives and values collaborative efforts: «The development process of this exhibition among so many institutions, professionals, students, and young people from diverse backgrounds reflects the spirit of the exhibit, where participation and collaboration are key elements in building our democracy.»

Coordinates

The interactive exhibit aims to highlight the historical agency of children and youth and engage the young visitors, activating historical empathy: connecting past pains and hopes with their own present experiences.

• Exhibition Dates: July 10 to September 13, 2026.
• Location: Museum of Memory and Human Rights – Memory Gallery (Av. Matucana 501, Santiago – Quinta Normal Metro Station).
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Admission: Free (no registration required for the general public; school delegations or large groups should coordinate via email [email protected]).