Switzerland

 

More detailed report: National Policy Report [fr]

Thesaurus: Thesaurus terms, core languages

Glossary: Terms in French

National coordinator: Benoit DUBOSSON

 CULTURAL HERITAGE POLICY

Federal policy on cultural heritage is defined in programmes entitled "Message for the promotion of culture for the period …" or "Culture message", which establish the priority thrusts and funding for a five-year period. The current programme covers the years 2016-2020, with emphasis on: ederal policy on cultural heritage is defined in programmes entitled "Message for the promotion of culture for the period …" or "Culture message", which establish the priority thrusts and funding for a five-year period. The current programme covers the years 2016-2020, with emphasis on:

  • Funding aid for the conservation of assets to be protected and archaeological operations;
  • Expert appraisals, authorisations and advice in line with federal competence;
  • Principles and standards, drawing up of recommendations and practical guides;
  • Cultural outreach, knowledge and research: communication, advancement of junior academics, fostering of knowledge;
  • Collaboration with cantons, organisations and other partners, strengthening of dialogue with civil society;
  • International affairs, active participation in multilateral cultural cooperation;
  • Culture of contemporary building: development of a federal promotion strategy incorporating the historic and contemporary culture of building.

The next Message for the promotion of culture for the period 2021-2024 is being prepared.

 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

In Switzerland, culture, including heritage, lies within the remit of the 26 cantons, which are the member states of the Confederation. Since the cantons have sovereign powers in the area of culture, initial responsibility for the protection of heritage and the conservation of monuments lies with them; the Confederation is involved only at a subsidiary level. The two levels of government (Confederation and cantons) have specialised services covering the conservation of monuments, archaeology and the protection of built sites, as well as for the protection of nature and landscape. In addition there are a whole host organisations of varying legal status which work to safeguard cultural assets at national level. Some of them play an important role in administrative procedure since they have a right of appeal.

At federal level, the specialised authorities are:

At cantonal level, the 26 cantons each have their own specialised services for the conservation of built cultural heritage and for archaeology, which fulfill their mission in accordance with the respective canton's legislation. These services are more or less developed, depending on the size of the canton.

Federal Department of Home Affairs DFI
Federal Office of Culture OFC

  • immovable cultural heritage and archaeology
  • museums and collections
  • illegal trafficking
  • intangible heritage

Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC
Federal Office of the Environment OFEV

  • nature and landscape
  • regional and national parks

Federal Department of Defence Civil Protection and Sport DDPS
Federal Office for Civil Protection OFPP

  • cultural assets (conflicts and natural disasters)

 

 LEGAL FRAMEWORK

National legislation

 

 RATIFIED INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS

  • Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe of 3 October 1985 (Granada) - Ratified, 1995
  • European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revised) of 16 January 1992 (Valetta) - Ratified, 1995
  • European Landscape Convention of 20 October 2000 (Florence) - Ratified, 2012
  • Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property of 14 November 1970 - Ratified, 2003
  • UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 23 November 1972 - Ratified, 1975
  • UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of 17 October 2003 - Ratified, 2008
  • UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions of 20 October 2005 - Ratified, 2008