Recent developments at the National Maritime Museum, UK, and their potential for capacity building

When the National Maritime Museum re-opened in May 1999 it offered both revised interpretations of its existing collections and new approaches to meeting the diversity and complexity inherent to maritime research. Central to this process of re-evaluation has been the launch of Museum's Centre for Maritime Research. This has fostered a more pro-active and holistic approach to its collections, research, education and interpretative functions. A combination of its traditional resources, the wide utilisation of modern Information Communication Technologies and a multi-disciplinary approach have significantly heightened the Museum's potential to act as both a key participant and facilitator in the process of capacity building in contemporary maritime affairs.