FY-05 PROPOSAL FOR AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000396 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ECA/P/C MARIA KOUROUPAS; AF/PD DWHITMAN/PEHRNMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OIIP ECIN SCUL CG SUBJECT: FY-05 PROPOSAL FOR AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION REF: STATE 007967 ¶1. SUMMARY: Kinshasa would like to submit the following proposal as its primary Cultural Preservation Project. This grant will fund the preservation project of the ethnographic and archeological collections of the National Museum of Lubumbashi thereby preserving the cultural and archeological heritage of the southern Congo. End of summary. ¶2. POINT OF CONCTACT: American Embassy, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo A/PAO: Victoria J. DeLong Phone: (243) 81 88 04 928 Fax: (243) 81 30 10 563 E-mail: delongv@state.gov ¶3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The National Museum of Lubumbashi is the second museum in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the national Museum in Kinshasa. This museum contains about 4,000 ethnographic objects, around 70,000 archeological items, and around 70,000 entomological items. The national Museum of Lubumbashi is a particularly important center for preserving the cultural and archeological heritage of the southern Congo. As with the National Museum in Kinshasa and with other Congolese institutions, the National Museum of Lubumbashi has lost most of its international contacts and support due to the conflict in the DRC that began in the early 90's. The consequences of this conflict have also caused the Museum's infrastructure to be severely degraded. Consequently, a grant from the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation could play a key role in helping the National Museum of Lubumbashi to stabilize and protect its important collection. The majority of this project would be devoted to preserving and protecting the Museum's collection. The rehabilitation of the infrastructure and security doors is key to preventing the collection from theft. Applying insecticides will help prevent the deterioration of artifacts. It is also important to note that the museum has a paper inventory list. The acquisition of additional computers will allow the development of a computer-based catalogue. A secondary element would be to assist the Museum in developing a website that will introduce its collections to a worldwide audience. The website will also provide a mechanism for coordinating with other museums on the theft of artifacts, resulting in the protection of the Museum's collection. The website will be developed following the rehabilitation and restoration work of the ethnographic and archeological collections. ¶4. TIME FRAME AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants in this project would be members of the Museum's staff. The time frame required for the completion of the project will be approximately six months. ¶5. PROJECT GOALS: The goal of this project is to help preserve the cultural heritage of the DRC by supporting the protection and maintenance of the Museum's collection. The following results are expected: - Preserving the Museum's collection and enhancing its potential for education and tourism. - Allowing the Museum to improve the quality of its facilities and methods for preserving its collection. - Creating a professional computer-based catalogue for the museum's collection. - Initiating the process of introducing the Museum's collection to the world-at-large through the development of a Museum website. ¶6. BENEFIT TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES: A grant to the National Museum of Lubumbashi through the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation will demonstrate American respect for the Congolese culture and cultural heritage. This will enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the Congo and the United States. ¶7. RESUME OF THE PROJECT DIRECTOR: The project will be managed by Dr Muya Wa Bitanko Kamwanga, Director of the Lubumbashi National Museum. Mr. Muya has master's degree in history from the University of Kinshasa, a master's degree in social and cultural anthropology from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium),and a doctoral degree in archeology and history of art from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium). He also teaches archeology at the University of Lubumbashi. As the Museum Director, Dr. Muya has made study and observation trips to Belgium, the Netherlands, Zambia and the United States. ¶8. BUDGET IN USD: 7A. Infrastructure: - Roofing and waterproofing (roofing, butane gas, and installation and plates for plugging in holes in the building) Subtotal (1) $ 7,000 - Electric installation (circuit beaters, divisional boards) Subtotal (2) $ 3,000 - Security doors each floor Subtotal (3) $ 1,500 7B. Collections: ¶1. Exposition: - Entomology and Archeology: 12 display cases Subtotal (4) $ 4,800 - Interactive stone posts to make the artifacts more lifelike Subtotal (5) $ 1,950 ¶2. Products and materials for maintenance and restoration of collections: - Xylamon: 50 liters - Baygon: 50 liters - Cinto-bois: 50 liters - Naptaline (protective fabric) - Vapona Subtotal (6) (estimated) $ 3,000 ¶3. Overshadowing of facilities: Adjustable blinds (to protect against dust and strong light) Subtotal (7) $ 680 ¶4. Five vacuum cleaners (to clean rooms and display cases) Subtotal (8) $ 350 ¶5. Fifteen ventilator fans ventilator fans to maintain constant temperature: Subtotal (9) $ 300 6.Instruments of calibration (8 thermometers, 8 hygrometers, and 8 thermo-hygrographs) all will be used to control the temperature: Subtotal (10) $ 720 7C. Internet connection: Subtotal (11) $ 3,000 7D. 2 computers and 1 printer: Subtotal (12) $ 3,700 Grand Total: $ 30,000 ¶9. Comment: The National Museum in Lubumbashi conducts educational outreach programs for local schools and includes student tours for elementary and high schools. The museum offers study and research to university students. The museum's structure is one of a few in the country that has survived the war and has been well maintained. Through the heroic efforts of the Museum Director the many objects in the ethnographic collection, archeological artifacts and works of art were saved from pillaging. The attitude and infrastructure of the Lubumbashi museum is conducive for student programs. Post will work with the museum to draft an initiative to develop programs for student field trips at the museum, and plan hands-on activities. Meece