<P><U><B>Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>Established by government regulation in 1975, the Ministère de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de la Culture is responsible for program development, coordination and follow-up. The Ministry serves the professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, cultural animation, heritage, folk or traditional culture, museums and art galleries, libraries, archives, preservation of the language, language training, the training of artists and/or culture workers, the cultural industries, literary creation, book publishing, cinema and the teaching of the arts.</P>
<P>The Ministry</P>
<UL>
<LI>Provides financial assistance to arts and culture organizations
<LI>Provides financial assistance to individuals in the areas of the arts and culture
<LI>Develops national policies on the arts and culture
<LI>Implements national policies on the arts and culture
<LI>Evaluates national policies on the arts and culture
<LI>Carries out research on the arts and culture
<LI>Compiles and maintains national statistics and databases on culture
<LI>Promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts and culture
<LI>Has lead responsibility at the national level for coordinating international cultural relations and exchanges
<LI>Is responsible for questions of copyright and intellectual property
<LI>Is responsible for the collective management of copyright
<LI>Organizes and manages cultural activities and events
<LI>Manages halls and spaces for cultural activities
<LI>Provides tax advantages for contributions to the arts and culture
<LI>Awards prizes and awards in the arts and culture
<LI>Provides training and professional development in the arts and culture
<LI>Publishes books and/or magazines </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The Ministry employs 180 full-time public servants. Staff members with direct program responsibility do not necessarily have experience working in the arts. The director is appointed by order in council.</P>
<P>The Ministry provides cultural branches and services throughout the territory that represent the national director of culture.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and sources of revenue</B></U></P>
<P>The total budget for the current year is 10,791,000 FCFA or $19,270 U.S. 20% comes from the national government, 30% from other governments, 20% from receipts and 30% through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Ministry actively seeks to obtain funding from non-government sources, in accordance with the governments expectations. Revenue from non-government sources has decreased over the past five years.</P>
<P>The Ministry was established with an initial donation from the government. It receives annual funds from the general revenue or culture budget of the government, bilateral cooperative ventures and international agencies. In the past five years, this funding has also diminished. In light of the economic slump, the government has placed the culture sector on the back burner. At this time, there is no law in existence that regulates the sector. As well, the perception that companies in this sector do not need assistance persists.</P>
<P><U><B>Programs of financial assistance to the arts/culture community</B></U></P>
<P>Funding from the Ministry can be used for creation, production, presentation and exhibition activities, as well as for publication, conservation and preservation.</P>
<P>Funds may not be used for propaganda against the government or against national unity and security. Assistance must respect the dignity of the Nigerian character and come within the context of international solidarity.</P>
<P><U><B>Evaluation of applications for assistance</B></U></P>
<P>Applications are evaluated by the Ministère des Affaires ètrangères et de la coopèration internationale, he Ministère du Plan and the Ministère de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de la Culture and by bilateral cooperation (joint commissions, etc.).</P>
<P>Grant recipients are chosen according to the relevance of the project.</P>
<P><U><B>Unique or specific characteristics of the organization</B></U></P>
<P>Since the Ministère de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de la Culture is a government organization, it is subject to the random factors of politics.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest current challenge</B></U></P>
<P>Government instability is the major challenge facing the Ministry.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest current strength</B></U></P>
<P>The rehabilitation of former practices is the current objective. Without having adequate means to hand, officials are working toward this goal.</P>
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