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).

 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).

 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:  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) 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-Committee Comprises chair and members appointed by IAC >> develops strategies for awareness raising and increasing financial support, implements marketing plan including logo use  Register Sub-Committee Comprises 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