Programme Structure

The AFRICA 2009 is structured to take advantage of activities at two levels.

•  At the regional level, the Projet Cadre favors reflection and the progressive development of ideas, guarantees continuity within individual activities, and allows for the dissemination of results obtained by the programme. Courses, seminars, research projects, and the improvement of networking are implemented, based on the realization that the best way to treat problems is to work together, share ideas, and develop common frameworks which can be adapted to specific local needs.
•  At the site level, the Projet Situés ensure that AFRICA 2009 is deeply rooted in the realities of the field while responding to specific needs of selected sites in terms of training and implementation of conservation activities.

Information from Projets Situés nourish the activities developed within the Projet Cadre, while in turn, the knowledge and new ideas developed in the Projet Cadre are used in later Projets Situés to enrich their methodology. Through this continuous loop of feedback and response, the programme creates specific references and models which can be used for planning and management at both the site and national levels.

In terms of programme chronology, there are four projected phases for AFRICA 2009. The first phase (1996 - 1998) consisted of needs assessment and programme design. During the second, pilot phase (1999 - 2001), activities at both the regional and site levels were gradually introduced, evaluated, and strengthened. The next phase will be the consolidation phase (2002 - 2005) where activities are consolidated and improved and new activities are introduced as recommended by the Coordination Committee and the Directors Seminars. During this phase, a concerted effort will also be made to strengthen partnership with regional institutions. The final phase (2006 - 2009) will be characterized by the continued transfer of appropriate activities to regional intuitions, an assessment of the activities of the programme and the development of necessary actions to ensure a sustainable continuation of improvements in the conservation of immovable cultural heritage in sub-Saharan Africa. The following diagram summarizes the phases and activities of the programme.