This lengthy article also offers an overview of what Germany is doing in the field of restitution.
Collaborative research into the origins of items looted in the colonial era provides the basis for restitution and the potential relocation of cultural property to the countries of origin.
Since 2022, young researchers from countries that were formerly under German colonial rule have been addressing previously unanswered questions – under the German Colonial Rule (GCR) programme run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funded by the Federal Foreign Office.
Germany also provides funding for international cooperation in this area in various ways – for example through the DAAD’s TheMuseumsLab programme, which enables African and European museum experts to network and engage with each other.
Berlin is providing its response with the debate event Decolonial Berlin Africa Conference 2024, which is being held as part of the festival Decolonial – What remains?: a decentralised exhibition, workshops, music, talks and an all-day city tour with contributions from science, art and activism over a period of four days.
