Webinar: Return of human remains? Practices, implications and ethical issues.

Short introduction webinar, hosted by The National Committee for Research Ethics on Human Remains.

To watch a recording of the webinar, go to our youtube-channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwBseRLVkh0

When: 13 October 2020, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom webinar.

The National Committee for Research Ethics on Human Remains (Skjelettutvalget) invites to an open webinar on the issue of the return of human remains and research ethics. The webinar is a short introduction to a seminar to be organized in Oslo in 2021 (postponed due to covid19).

Questions surrounding the return of human remains are often challenging, complex and contextually specific, raising a number of ethical issues at a time when indigenous groups and descendants seek greater control over not only historical places and items, but also human remains. The seminar seeks to revisit and explore the various avenues for the return of human remains, different practices, voices and interest groups.

The question of return of human remains creates a need for fresh dialogue to overcome colonial histories, reconcile long-standing disputes and as a process of democratization. The opinions of scholars, excavators, curators, legislators and those who claim return often differ. This webinar will serve as an introduction to some of these opinions and perspectives, that will be further elaborated on in the 2021 seminar.

Program

11:00-11:05 - Practical information. Lene Os Johannessen, Skjelettutvalget (secretariat)

11:05-11:10 - Introduction. Nils Anfinset, University museum of Bergen and Skjelettutvalget (chair)

11:10-11:20 - Can Repatriation be problematised? Should it be? Theoretical challenges and political choices. Liv Nilsson Stutz, Linnaeus University

11:20-11:30 - Return of human remains – a museum’s perspective. Elina Anttila, The National Museum of Finland

11:30-11:40 - Plenary session, Q&A

11:40-11:50 - From object to human being – the burial of a skeletonized killer. Jørgen Rosvold, Stavanger museum (former employee)

11:50-12:00 - An Indigenous perspective on repatriation of human remains. Audhild Schanche, Sami Parliament in Norway (former employee)

12:00-12:10 - Plenary session, Q&A
 
12:10-12:20 - Closing remarks. Nils Anfinset

Please register through the form below so that we can send you details about accessing the webinar session. The details will be sent you 24 hours in advance of the webinar. The registration closes at 0800 a.m., Monday October 12th.