Since 1992…a UNESCO program to safeguard the world’s documentary heritage … complementing World Heritage Convention, Intangible Heritage and other avenues

The documented, collective memory of the peoples of the world – their documentary heritage - which is a large proportion of the world’s cultural heritage.

It charts the evolution of thought, discovery and achievement of human society. It is the legacy of the past to the present and future world community.

Much resides in archives, libraries But much more has been lost; some

is at risk; much has been dispersed Skills and facilities are unevenly

dispersed Urgency: decay, discard, natural and

man-made disasters, obsolescence Both preservation and access are

needed

UNESCO encourages full, democratised access to the whole documentary heritage, subject to due recognition of cultural restrictions and copyright control, but free of artificial constraints. (Perfection may never be achieved but it is an appropriate aim)

This is consistent with the UN Universal declaration of human rights (1948) and Convention on civil and political rights (1966). Everyone has the right to an identity, and therefore the right of access to their documentary heritage. This includes the right to know it exists, and where to find it.

Source: General Guidelines for the UNESCO Memory of the World Program (2002). www.unesco.org/webworld/mdm

Documentary heritage: a record created by deliberate intellectual intent which is moveable, reproducible/ migratable, preservable, comprising content plus carrier. Includes textual, non-textual, images, sounds, digital files

Preservation is the sum total of steps necessary to ensure the permanent accessibility – forever – of documentary heritage

Access means any form of consultation or use

Source: General Guidelines for the UNESCO Memory of the World Program (2002). www.unesco.org/webworld/mdm

To facilitate preservation, by the most appropriate techniques

To assist universal access

To increase awareness worldwide of the existence and significance of documentary heritage

….in other words to change how the documentary heritage, in libraries, archives, museums or other collections, is valued, protected, used and supported by nations, governments, communities

Vision

The world’s documentary heritage belongs to all, should be fully preserved and protected for all and, with due recognition of cultural mores and practicalities, should be permanently accessible to all without hindrance.

Mission

To increase awareness and protection of the world’s documentary heritage, and achieve its universal and permanent accessibility.

UNESCO Memory of the World definition of “documents” is broad. It includes:

Textual items (MSS, books, newspapers etc) Non-textual items (drawings, prints, maps,

musical scores etc) Virtual items residing on websites and

servers Audiovisual items - analog and digital

(films, discs, tapes, photographs, microfilm, CD, DVD computer games)

Training, information, practical guidance Provide or broker project funding Encourage recognition, protection and

public awareness of key documents through a register system: a “shop window”

Advocacy, awareness raising and promotion

Access through digitisation and products Structure for professional collaboration

General Guidelines in all UNESCO languages – the “rule book”

Website: www.unesco.org/webworld/mdm

Publications – check the website International, regional and national

registers Committee structure Use of the logo

Guidelines for use Declares UNESCO

recognition Symbolises

documents of all kinds, the spread of knowledge, missing memory

The program is carried out by a three tier committee structure (international, regional, national) and a Secretariat.

The International Advisory Committee (IAC)

-- 14 member peak body responsible for advising UNESCO on the planning and implementation of the program as a whole-- Serving in personal capacity and appointed by the DG of UNESCO, as authorities in the field of safeguarding documentary heritage

Functions

Maintains an overview of the policy and strategy

of the program, monitor global progress Considers reports of the subcommittees/ regional committees/secretariat Responsible for approving/deleting entries

to the international register Reviews operations of sub-committees and regional committees

Bureau

comprises the chair, 3 vice-chairs and rapporteur elected at every ordinary biennial session of the IAC.

>> maintains an overview of the program between meetings and liaises with the secretariat

Technical Subcommittee

comprises chair and members appointed by the IAC or Bureau for their expertise

>> develops information guides on the preservation of documentary heritage and provides technical

advice

Marketing Sub-CommitteeComprises chair and members appointed by IAC

>> develops strategies for awareness raising and increasing financial support , implements marketing plan including logo use

Register Sub-CommitteeComprises chair appointed by IAC and members

according to rules

>>does preliminary assessment of nominations for the MOW International Register, interprets criteria and liaises with nominators and NGO advisers

Based at the Communication and Information Division of UNESCO, Paris

Participates in work of IAC but without the right to vote

Supports IAC’s subsidiary bodies and the general administration

Oversees the Memory of the World Fund.

Asia Pacific (MOWCAP), Latin America-Caribbean (MOWLAC), Africa (ARCMOW)

Comprises representatives of national MOW committees

Maintain regional register Cooperation and training Planting and mentoring national

committees Communication Direct relationship with national MOW

committees

Autonomous, with their own terms of reference, but accredited by UNESCO National Commission

Prepares annual reports for the National UNESCO Commission, Regional Committee and the Secretariat

Maintains the National MOW Register Nominates entries to the

regional/international registers Oversees MOW projects in the country.

International, regional, national – listing documentary heritage of world significance

Selection criteria relating to authenticity, uniqueness, geographic effect, influence on the course of history

…and time, place, people, subject and theme, form and style, social/spiritual/community significance

Formal nomination and assessment process

Criteria standard world wide, but some local variation for regional and national registers

Anyone can nominate Prescribed proforma on websites Two-year cycle Note conditions in the General

Guidelines