The 2nd CETAF Directors’ Summit, held in November 2024 in Berlin and hosted by the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin / Freie Universität Berlin, brought together the leaders of Europe’s major natural history museums and biodiversity research institutions under the theme “Trusted Partners, Critical Times.”
The Summit gathered directors from across Europe to strengthen collaboration and share strategies for addressing the pressing scientific, societal, and ethical challenges facing natural history institutions today. The event also reaffirmed the importance of developing new partnerships and reinforcing the role of scientific institutions as trusted actors in society.
One of the key outcomes of the Summit was the collective discussion of three critical topics for the present and future of CETAF member institutions: Integrity, Repatriation, and Cybersecurity.
CETAF now shares three official statements reflecting these discussions. While these documents represent a shared position agreed by CETAF members, they remain open to further reflection and input, which may be incorporated in future Directors’ Summits.
1. Integrity, trust, and evidence-based science
This statement reaffirms CETAF’s commitment to scientific integrity, institutional independence, and evidence-based communication in an increasingly polarised public environment. It highlights the importance of transparency, public engagement, and defending science against misinformation to maintain trust and support informed decision-making.
2. Repatriation
This statement commits CETAF members to ethical and responsible dialogue regarding collections shaped by colonial histories and unequal power relations. It emphasizes transparency, provenance research, and respectful engagement with communities of origin, recognising historical injustice and supporting equitable and just scientific practices.
3. Cybersecurity
This statement addresses the growing vulnerability of scientific institutions to cyberattacks and calls for a collective approach to digital security. It highlights the shared responsibility of institutions and governments to protect digital infrastructures, preserve scientific data, and maintain public trust.
