Its main focus of research and teaching are the past and contemporary societies of the Pacific, Australia included.
The CREDO was created in 1995 as an UMR (Unité Mixe de Recherche) of the CNRS and the EHESS in Marseilles, France.
From the very first year of its creation, its members wanted to be associated to the University of Provence in order to teach and supervise students from both major institutions in the South of France in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
In early March 1999, the CREDO left its original location in the Vieille Charité, hosted by the EHESS, and moved to the Saint-Charles Campus at the university of provence.
Next to IRSEA (Laboratory on South-East Asia), and a new centre for documentation (MAP), the CREDO is now one of the three constituents of the Maison Asie Pacifique.