Contacts and further information

Checklist on ethics of culturalproperty ownership(especially concerning museum collections)

If museum colleagues or general inquirers need any special assistance concerning
collection items or have particular questions that have arisen on which help could
be beneficial (e.g. practical examples of diverse claims and the variety of possible
outcomes concerning the restitution of looted art – including mediation options), thefollowing agencies may be of assistance:•ICOM Ethics Committee, Chairperson,
c/o ICOM (International Council of Museums),
1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15, France,
e-mail: ethics@icom.museum•ICOM (International Council of Museums),
1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15, France;
http://icom.museum,Tel: +33 (01) 47 34 05 00,
Fax: +33 (01) 43 06 78 62,
e-mail: secretariat@icom.museum•Your local ICOM representatives (see list of ICOM’s National Committees at
http://icom.museum/nationals.html)•For many translations of the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, see
http://icom.museum/ethics.html

This Checklist has been compiled jointly by ICOM, the ICOM Ethics Committee, and theKoordinierungsstelle Magdeburg (www.lostart.de / www.kulturgutschutz-deutschland.de).
Paris, May 2011.

Ethics and the changing
museum world
Nationally and internationally, questions
concerning ethics in the museum world
have grown in importance during recentyears. Worldwide interest has sharpened,for example, around topics related to theimpact of colonisation on subjects peoples
and collections built through the expansionof empires historically, repatriation claims
by indigenous peoples, looted art, trophy
art, and illicit trafficking (including as a resultof armed conflicts).
To assist museums in these matters, in a
co-operative effort with UNESCO datingback to 1970 and the pivotal UNESCO
Convention of that year, the International
Council of Museums (ICOM) developed inthe 1980s a comprehensive code of ethics
for museums (“ICOM Code”). This code setsminimum standards of professional practiceand performance for museums and theirstaff, grounded in the fundamental ethicaldisposition of museums towards public

Compiled by the International
Council of Museums (ICOM)and the Koordinierungsstelle
Magdeburg

service and social development. The ICOMCode reflects principles generally acceptedby the international museum community as
base-line standards for the museum sector
worldwide. The ICOM Code does notseek to aim above national codes; rather,it sets down the internationally accepted
foundations that should underpin all other,sometimes more specialised, codes. TheICOM Code was first adopted by the 15th
General Assembly of ICOM in 1986; arestructured, condensed and more clearly
set out Code was ratified as the ICOM Codeof Ethics for Museums by the 21st General
Assembly of ICOM in 2004.
Considering the complexity of the ethicalquestions affecting the work of museums
today, the present Checklist is a tool for two
purposes: (A) it sets out the 8 organisingprinciples that shape the detailed articlesof the ICOM Code, as well as providing
orientation and support in dealing withthese complex topics; and (B) it offers a listof contacts for further advice on particularquestions.

The Principles ofthe ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums
1.	Museums preserve, interpret and promote thenatural and cultural inheritance of humanity

5.	Museums hold resources that provide opportunities
for other public services and benefits

2.	Museums that maintain collections hold them in trustfor the benefit of society and its development

6.	Museums work in close collaboration with thecommunities from which their collections originate as wellas those they serve

Museums are responsible for the tangible and intangible natural and cultural heritage.
Governing bodies and those concerned with the strategic direction and oversight ofmuseums have a primary responsibility to protect and promote this heritage as well as thehuman, physical and financial resources made available for that purpose.

Museums have the duty to acquire, preserve and promote their collections as a contribution
to safeguarding the natural, cultural and scientific heritage. Their collections are a significant
public inheritance, have a special position in law and are protected by international
legislation. Inherent in this public trust is the notion of stewardship that includes rightful
ownership, provenance, permanence, documentation, accessibility and responsible
disposal.

3.	Museums hold primary evidence for establishingand furthering knowledge

Museums have particular responsibilities to all for the care, accessibility and interpretation ofprimary evidence collected and held in their collections.

4.	Museums provide opportunities for theappreciation, understanding and promotion of the naturaland cultural heritage
Museums have an important duty to develop their educational role and attract wider
audiences from the community, locality, or group they serve. Interaction with the constituent
community and promotion of their heritage is an integral part of the educational role of themuseum.

Museums utilise a wide variety of specialisms, skills and physical resources that have a far
broader application than in the museum. This may lead to shared resources or the provisionof services as an extension of the museum’s activities. These should be organized in such away that they do not compromise the museum’s stated mission.

Museum collections reflect the cultural and natural heritage of the communities from which
they have been derived. As such they have a character beyond that of ordinary property
which may include strong affinities with national, regional, local, ethnic, religious or politicalidentity. It is important therefore that museum policy is responsive to this possibility.

7.	Museums operate in a legal manner

Museums must conform fully to international, regional, national, or local legislation andtreaty obligations. In addition, the governing body should comply with any legally binding
trusts or conditions relating to any aspect of the museum, its collections and operations.

8.	Museums operate in a professional manner

Members of the museum profession should observe accepted standards and laws anduphold the dignity and honour of their profession. They should safeguard the public against
illegal or unethical professional conduct. Every opportunity should be used to inform andeducate the public about the aims, purposes, and aspirations of the profession to develop abetter public understanding of the contributions of museums to society.