Objectifs :
Switzerland also offers formal training through a “CAS in Provenance Research” programme that addresses “goods acquired in colonial contexts” and studies “their origin as well as their significance. The programme’s primary and most prominent focus, is Nazi-looted art and cultural property displaced during the Nazi era (1933-1945). This is the core of the curriculum. It also includes a dedicated module on goods from colonial contexts.
Mesures de restitution :
Aucun.
The programme itself is a training and capacity-building measure, not a direct restitution mechanism. It aims to create qualified professionals who can conduct the research that informs restitution processes.
Limitations du cadre :
Swiss provenance research appears primarily focused on Nazi-looted art rather than colonial collections, and Switzerland’s indirect colonial involvement creates complexities in establishing clear restitution frameworks compared to countries with direct colonial histories. As a training course, it has no executive or advisory authority. Its scope reflects the current professional field, which is indeed more developed for Nazi-era spoliation than for colonial contexts in Switzerland.
