10 March 2003

The National Museum of Tanzania is arranging a workshop in Bagamoyo 10-12 March 2003 for stakeholders to discuss a transformation of the Dar es Salaam Museum into a National House of Culture.

To many people in Tanzania simply a museum means a place where old things are kept. Such an understanding of a museum has meant that child-ren and young people become less interested in museum activities. Although museums care for old things they are also concerned with peop-lesｴ everyday issues.

The National Museum of Tanzania, having recognised demands expressed to it by different stakeholders, is proposing to transform the Dar es Salaam Museum into a new National House of Culture.

The idea of a culture house is defined to be relevant for the following reasons:

Today’s museum policies underline the importance of merging docu-mentation of history with contemporary production and interaction with the public.
 The importance of creating stimulating opportunities for young people to take part in the dialogue on society is pointed out by both the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Sweden.
 Stages, laboratories, seminars and other opportunities, which can be accessed by talents all over the country would contribute to both public service information and bridge-building between local and central levels.

In order for the Museum to prepare for the transformation the Swedish Government through Sida will support a one-year in-depth preparation pro-cess. The main objective of this process is to build up consensus among key stakeholders on the establishment and maintenance of the House of Culture. The process will be facilitated by a team of Swedish consultants working closely together with the National Museum.

The workshop takes place at Paradise Holiday Resort, Bagamoyo.