International Cultural Heritage Law (2022)

University of Geneva

This CAS is a unique programme organised by the Art-Law Centre of the University of Geneva aiming at developing awareness and high-level understanding of the substantive themes of international cultural heritage law through a modern and dynamic problem-based learning method.

Gain a specialisation in international cultural heritage law with a unique programme organized and taught by the specialists of the Art-Law Centre and of the UNESCO Chair in the International Law of the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the University of Geneva

Develop a high-level and critical understanding of the legal, political and philosophical considerations underpinning international cultural heritage law through a modern and dynamic problem-based learning method

o Practitioner of the art and cultural heritage sector who wants to enhance and update his knowledge and skills in response to the growing complexity of this sector o Practitioner employed in other fields (including official and/or professional in the public and private sectors, member of staff of international organisations, foundations and NGOs, human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists) who want to shift their career trajectory toward the art and cultural heritage sector o University student (post-graduate) who wishes to gain a specialisation in order to start a career in the art and cultural heritage sector

Participants shall be evaluated based on a written essay for each module. Each written assignment shall be no longer than 3,000 words (excluding table of contents, foot notes and bibliography) and shall be submitted at the end of each semester.

Hold a Master’s or a Bachelor’s degree in law from a University, a Master’s or a Bachelor’s degree in law from a University of Applied Sciences (HES), or a degree deemed equivalent and recognised by the University of Geneva; 

Have a sound command of English; candidates who are not native English speakers must be able to show that their English language ability is of a high enough standard to successfully engage with and complete the course via a recognised test (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) or one or more degrees obtained following the completion of programmes taught in English.

Prof. Marc-André Renold, Faculty of Law, Art-Law Centre, University of Geneva; UNESCO Chair in the International Law of the Protection of Cultural Heritage

Courses will be held on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10h to 17h (including breaks), with a few exceptions as to the time.

Hirad Abtahi, Legal Adviser, International Criminal Court

Mariano Aznar Gomez , Professor, University Jaume I

Anne Laure Bandle , Attorney-at-law and Lecturer, University of Geneva

Lorenz Baumer , Professor, University of Geneva

Yaniv Benhamou , Professor, University of Geneva

Patrizia Birchler-Emery , Lecturer, University of Geneva

Anne-Claire Bisch , General Manager, Geneva Free Port

Jan Blanc , Professor, University of Geneva

Pascal Bongard , Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)

Marie-Sophie de Clippele , Professor, University of Brussels Saint-Louis

Nikola Doll, Head of provenance Research, Kunst Museum Bern

Frédéric Epitaux , Attorney-at-law

Juan Fabuel , Interdisciplinary artist

Justine Ferland , Legal Expert, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, WIPO

Derek Fincham , Professor, South Texas College of Law Houston

Philippe Fischer , Attorney-at-law

Manlio Frigo , Professor, University of Milano

Samer Abdel Ghafour , Cultural Heritage Specialist

Giuditta Giardini, Attorney-at-law and Consultant at New York District Attorney’s Office

Sandrine Giroud , Attorney-at-law

Kristin Hausler , British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Mathilde Heaton , Legal Counsel, Phillips auctioneers

Corinne Hershkovitch , Attorney-at-law

Maya Hertig , Professor, University of Geneva

Andrzej Jakubowski , Professor, Opole University and University of Warsaw

Federico Lenzerini , Professor, University of Siena

Lucas Lixinski , Professor, University of New South Wales

Anthony Masure , Professor, Haute école d’art et de design of Geneva (HEAD)

Anastassia Nikolova, Young Expert, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Riccardo Pavoni , Professor, University of Siena

Robert Peters, Senior Legal Expert, German Government

Francesco Romani , Legal Expert, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

David Sassine, Project Manager, ALIPH (International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas)

Emiline Smith , Lecturer, University of Glasgow

Irina Tarsis , Attorney, and Founder and Managing Director of the Center for Art Law

Isabelle Tassignon , Curator, Fondation Gandur pour l’Art

Ece Velioglu Yildizci, University of Geneva

Andrea Wallace , Professor, University of Exeter

Boris Wastiau , Director, Musée d’ethnographie de Genève

Matthias Weller , Professor, University of Bonn

Alexandra Xanthaki , Professor, Brunel University, and UN Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights

Julia Anne Xoudis , Professor, University of Geneva

Daphne Zografos Johnsson , Senior Legal Officer, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

The CAS in International Cultural Heritage Law of the University of Geneva is a well-structured highlevel academic programme which covers every aspect of cultural heritage law and the protection of cultural property. Coming from a background in Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, I was particularly interested in exploring the legal instruments and ethical issues involved in illicit antiquities trafficking. The programme was exactly what I was looking for: offering courses that focus on legal aspects, but with interdisciplinary character. I was impressed by the dedication and the level of support of the teachers. They offered a high flexibility for students - especially with regards to the assessments scheduling - which made it considerably easier to reconcile the studies with other commitments. The programme broadened my research profile and will certainly be beneficial for my further career trajectory in the cultural heritage field. I highly recommend it!

Rahel Glanzmann

I was looking for a multidisciplinary training and I wanted to better understand the many links between cultural property and the law. I was also looking for training that was both theoretical and practical, with sessions given by professors and others by practitioners. The CAS in International Cultural Heritage Law fully met these expectations. This programme opened a whole new world for me. In spite of my background in human rights and international humanitarian law, the formation allowed me to discover many issues that I only knew rather superficially before, such as the complexities surrounding restitution of works of art looted during armed conflicts. I also learned a lot about the interactions and the tensions between different branches of law such as intellectual property law and human rights law, for example when it comes to protection of indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage. I work 100%, but my employer gave me a few days off to attend the Friday modules. Then I ’sacrificed’ a few weekends to attend the Saturday modules, read the material and prepare for the exams at the end of each module. I found the course very compatible with my professional and private commitments. What I appreciated the most is the possibility to participate in an articulated, yet accessible, reflection around current challenges of cultural heritage and law, under the guidance of leading professors and practitioners. I feel very enriched and intellectually stimulated at a both a professional and personal level.

Paola Forgione

After nearly 15 years of working in cultural heritage, I wanted to gain a different perspective and insight into the sector. This CAS gave me that new perspective and more that I was missing as a field archaeologist. It exposed me to a wide range of issues pertinent to the legal aspect of the cultural heritage sector that also directly influenced my work. The broad scope of this CAS contains material of interest not only to legal practitioners but also archaeologists and those working directly in the physical documentation and preservation of cultural heritage. Due to the diverse subject matter, the course provided an opportunity to network with and get to know others working in the cultural heritage sector in various domains, including archaeology, law, and provenance research. 

Ryan Hughes

I recently had the privilege of participating in the CAS on International Cultural Heritage Law at the University of Geneva, and I must say it was a very enriching experience. The program, spanning one and a half years, proved to be outstanding in numerous aspects, leaving me thoroughly impressed. First and foremost, the program boasted an impressive lineup of knowledgeable and diverse speakers. Their expertise covered a wide range of subjects related to international cultural heritage, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field. From legal professionals specializing in heritage protection to renowned academics, the program featured individuals who were at the forefront of their respective domains. This diversity of perspectives greatly enhanced the overall learning experience. Also, the range of topics covered throughout the program was equally impressive. From the legal frameworks governing cultural heritage preservation to the ethical dilemmas surrounding, restitution for example, every aspect was greatly explored. This comprehensive approach provided an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced in the field of international cultural heritage law. Furthermore, the program’s organizing professors were very flexible and keen to ensure that everyone had an enriching experience. Their desire to create an environment conducive to learning was evident throughout the programme. In conclusion, I highly recommend the International Cultural Heritage Law Certificate Program to anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of this fascinating field. It provided a stimulating and rewarding experience, leaving me with a profound appreciation for the complexities of international cultural heritage law.

Léa Munoz

Starting the CAS in international heritage law in January 2022 was the beginning of my professional journey in the art world. Each module presented its own challenges. The "CAS weekends" were usually intellectually intense. However, thanks to the various speakers, as well as my peers, who came from totally different horizons (both professionally and natively) I always looked forward to the next course, excited about what I was going to learn and mostly about comparing each speaker point of view on a specific topic. Therefore, the formation has not only allowed me to develop and deepen my knowledge in the art market, but also expanded my critical thinking on current political, societal and economic topics around our cultural heritage. Although we had a lot of substance to cover in a short amount of time, each speaker and especially Professor Chechi was always happy to take the time and answer our questions or deepen a subject matter (even via e-mail when time was sensitive). With the progress of the CAS, came the beginning of my career. Indeed, in September 2022, I started an internship in an international auction house, and was thrilled to use and apply my knowledge on an everyday basis at work. Indeed, I am constantly confronted with questions on provenance, restitution, intellectual property to cite only a few. It is always a great pleasure to apply what I have learned as well as discussing these topics with my colleagues. Personally, what made it possible for me to participate in this formation is it’s hybrid nature. I always loved to be present in the classroom for each module, but sometimes my personal and especially professional life (auction weekends etc) would take over my weekends. Each class being recorded and live streamed on zoom really helped me to stay on track and follow the progression of the course, without ever falling behind on the program. The course materials were always on topic and helped tremendously to map out the direction I wanted to go in for each of my exam. Each instructor did a great job at communicating his course and Professor Chechi managed to include every participant (even those online) in the classroom. I am very grateful for this experience, and I enjoyed the CAS in cultural heritage tremendously.

Liza Erler

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