After doing some research into museums in Western Africa, I came across a wonderful book which might help you in your needs assessment project. The book is Plundering Africa's Past edited by Peter Schmidt and Roderick McIntosh. An essay of particular interest to you would be one
authored by Merrick Posnansky entitled, "Coping with the Collapse in the 1990's: West African Museums, Universities, and National Patrimonies", 1996, Indiana University Press. Hope this helps. Let us know your progress.         Valerie

PMDA wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I am currently working with a regional organization that is mandated to
> provide training courses and development support to museum professionals in
> sub-Saharan Africa.  This organization has been operating for six months and
> has already held some very successful training workshops on museum
> enlivening skills and designing project proposals.  A number of training
> workshops and courses are scheduled for this year and we are also preparing
> a long-term programme for 2002-2006.
>
> As a result, we are currently organizing a comprehensive needs assessment
> survey of museums in 25 different African countries, to determine what
> exactly our educational and development support programmes should focus on
> in the coming years.
>
> My question is this: Are you any of you familiar with similar assessments?
> Have you participated in one?  Or organized one?
>
> I am interested in compiling samples of various assessment surveys for our
> resource people to consult as they prepare the methodology for our survey.
>
> Any feedback you can provide would be really, really appreciated.  You can
> reply off-list at [log in to unmask]
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Laura M.
>
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