2030 Strategy

MEG presents its 2030 strategy affirming its commitment at the heart of the living world

MEG, the Musée d'ethnographie de Genève (Museum of Ethnography of Geneva), reveals its 2030 Strategy. This clearly announces the museum's commitment to the greater well-being of human and non-human societies. MEG has a strong vision, a federating mission and four strategic focuses which will guide all of its activities up until 2030, in a context of major social, cultural and environmental transitions.

A vision rooted in the greater well-being of the whole living world

With its 2030 Strategy, MEG affirms a vision based on the greater well-being of human and non-human societies. The museum's perspective stems from the observation that human societies are inseparable from the ecosystems of which they are part. MEG has therefore chosen to broaden its gaze by highlighting interdependent relations between humans, animals, plants or minerals.

This approach marks an assumed change of paradigm: MEG no longer limits itself to documenting human cultures, but positions itself as a museum of relations between living beings. It intends to contribute to a better understanding of the links uniting human societies with the whole living world, in a context of ecological, social and cultural crises.

A mission focused on experience and awareness

MEG's mission is clearly reasserted. The museum creates experiences which stimulate its publics and encourages them to take care of all living forms. Exhibitions, cultural activities, workshops and research programmes are conceived of as spaces for learning, dialogue and consciousness-raising.

MEG defines itself as a living place, accessible to and visited by the publics. It mobilizes the senses, emotions and intellect in order to awaken curiosity, encourage reflection and facilitate dialogue about contemporary socio-ecological issues.

Structural Values

Three values guide the totality of MEG's strategy and actions

• Creativity, as a lever for change and opportunities for new ways of conceiving of relations with the Earth.
• Collaboration, at the heart of work with the teams, source communities, partners and publics.
• Societal responsibility, which commits the museum to measuring and reducing the impact of its activities while integrating the issues of social justice, a decolonial approach and the climate emergency in all its actions.

Four Strategic Focuses for 2030

MEG's 2030 Strategy has been constructed around four focuses, in line with the pillars of organisations' societal responsibilities.

The first focus is aimed at making MEG more inclusive and sustainable. This is a question of embedding societal responsibility principles in all the museum's activities, improving the way collections are treated and deploying the editorial policy of the "Re-enchanting the Earth" exhibitions.

The second focus concerns environmental impact reduction. MEG is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to energy by 85% between now and 2030, developing an eco-conception of its exhibitions and implementing a responsible, ecological and ethical form of digital transition.

The third focus addresses co-construction with publics and partners. The museum wishes to intensify its relations with its territory, strengthen the participation of source communities, begin a reflection on MEG's habitability and develop the collections' shared practices, in line with the rights of the communities concerned.

The fourth focus is aimed at promoting the quality of life at work. MEG means to create a harmonious environment, strengthen respectful professional relations, encourage a positive working climate and develop spaces for dialogue and participation.

An museum of ethnography which assumes its decolonial approach and its name

The 2030 Strategy clearly states that MEG remains a museum of ethnography. This name, MEG/Musée d'ethnographie de Genève (Museum of Ethnography of Geneva), is fully assumed for it enables us to question what has made the museum a major cultural actor in the colonial context. This name also refers to a method based on observation, listening, dialogue and attentive analysis of social and cultural practices.

Here ethnography is used as a tool at the service of key contemporary issues, making it possible to understand socio-ecological dynamics and accompany changes in them.

A commitment with regard to sustainability

MEG'S commitment to societal responsibility has been acknowledged by several reference labels. In January 2023, the museum received the Gold level of the international THQSE (Très Haute Qualité Sociétale-Sociale-Sanitaire et Environnementale) label, thus becoming the first European museum and first organization in Switzerland to be OSR labelled . In February 2024, it received EcoEntreprise DD & RSE certification, based on the international ISO 26000 norm. MEG has also been recognized as Swisstainable level III - leading and granted the international Responsibility Europe label.

With its 2030 Strategy, MEG acquires a clear, shared framework for the coming years. A strategy conceived of as a fluid tool, for use in its mission of public service and role as a cultural actor committed to contemporary societal changes.

 Stratégie 2030 [PDF 2.2 Mo]