Expertise for Central Africa
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The Royal Museum for Central Africa
The Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), established in 1898, is a Belgian Federal Scientific Institute. Its mission is to serve as a world centre in research and knowledge dissemination on past and present societies and natural environments of Africa, and in particular Central Africa, to foster — to the public at large and the scientific community — a better understanding and interest in this area and, through partnerships, to substantially contribute to its sustainable development. It has a triple function as a museum, as a research institute and as a centre for information, dissemination and for raising public awareness about Africa. Its collections, exhibitions, archives, data bases and scientific expertise are internationally renown.
RMCA’s research is multidisciplinary and covers both the human and the natural sciences. Its major scientific disciplines are cultural anthropology, history, geology, zoology and forestry. It also has scientific support services such as a library and 12 specialized documentation centres, on-line information services and laboratories. The RMCA has public oriented services on sensitisation, museology, publications and communication.
The RMCA has approximately 300 staff members of which 80 are scientists at Ph.D. level. RMCA scientists participate in a large number of national and international scientific networks. The RMCA works in close collaboration with universities and other scientific institutes.
The RMCA is a public sector institute and most of his funding is provided by the Federal government. The RMCA is active in development cooperation and has partnerships in 22 African countries. The RMCA also contributes every year to the training of average 175 students and scientists, most of whom are of African origin.
The museum attracts annually between 200 000 and 300 000 visitors. Its vast and rich collections are currently being digitalized and will soon be more easily accessible through websites. The museum is also well-known for his educational activities and every year between 30 000 and 40 000 children participate in its workshops.
Contact:
Royal Museum for Central Africa
Dr. Guido Gryseels
Director General
Leuvensesteenweg 13
3080 Tervuren
Belgium
Tel: (+32) (0)2 769 52 85
Fax: (+32) (0)2 769 02 42
E-mail: click here
Website: www.africamuseum.be