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A Introduction times will be a gap, and the difficulties we have institutions working across different types of docu-
gone through and the solutions we try to give to the mentary heritage including:
Documentary heritage in libraries, archives
Commemorative and beyond represents our collective memories problems we face will not be documented, resulting • Archives, represented by the
in a reduced understanding of our time and,
in tangible form. These collective memories make
International Council on Archives (ICA);
Statement up a shared pool of our knowledge, experience, certainly, that of the future. • Audiovisual archives including sound, film
UNESCO ICDH
expression, and humanity ― they are the bedrocks
Efforts made by memory institutions and
of communities and civilizations. Failure to preserve individuals to preserve documentary heritage and broadcasting represented by CCAAA;
the world’s documentary heritage would be a great and enable its access have been recognized and • Libraries, represented by the International
loss to the shared heritage of humanity. celebrated through UNESCO/Jikji MoW Prize. Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions (IFLA);
UNESCO’s long-standing commitment to the The MoW Global Policy Forum has become the • Museums, represented by the
safeguarding of the world’s documentary heritage strategic platform for discussion and knowledge- International Council of Museums (ICOM).
came originally from a growing awareness of the sharing, particularly on disaster risk reduction and
fragility of this heritage, as well as its perilous state management, providing support to Member States In various ways, these institutions, in co-
of preservation and limited access in various parts in implementing the UNESCO 2015 Recommendation operation with the MoW Programme, are developing
of the world. Wars and social upheaval, as well as concerning the preservation of, and access to, administrative and technical standards for the
severe lack of resources to carry out preservation documentary heritage including in digital form. preservation and accessibility of documentary
and dissemination activities have aggravated risk Initiatives in digital documentary heritage, such as heritage in all its diverse genres and formats,
factors that have existed for centuries. PERSIST and Software Source Code as Heritage thereby ensuring that all people can appreciate its
The Memory of the World (MoW) Programme are also progressing. Reaching out to the younger value within a larger cultural ecosystem.
was established by UNESCO in 1992 to safeguard generation, the programme has also embraced a In parallel with efforts made by these institutions
the world’s documentary heritage, democratize strategy to introduce documentary heritage through and the MoW Programme, there is a compelling
access to it and raise awareness of its significance, educational materials and learning activities. need for Member States to strengthen their role
and most importantly, the need to preserve it. This year, the MoW Programme is celebrating of positioning documentary heritage in the larger
Over the last 30 years, the MoW Programme its 30th anniversary. This is a great opportunity to cultural ecosystem.
has achieved important milestones in ensuring that celebrate these achievements and look ahead to The 2015 Recommendation concerning the
the world’s documentary heritage is preserved, the future of the Programme. In this view, there is preservation of, and access to, documentary
protected, and accessible to all, while advocating a strong need to promote the contribution of heritage including in digital form encourages
for effective policy mechanisms and promoting documentary heritage to the development of a Member States to “contribute to building synergies
national and international cooperation among sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive society that between the Memory of the World Programme
Member States. ensures justice for all. and other heritage programmes in order to assure
These significant milestones include the further coherence of actions.”
inscription of over 400 documentary heritage 1.Positioning documentary heritage in the This can be done by ensuring that documentary
items and collections from all over the world on larger cultural ecosystem heritage is part of frameworks for safeguarding
the MoW International Register; the establishment In marking this anniversary, we embrace cultural heritage, developed at the national level in
of three MoW regional committees in the African, the theme: “Your window to the world: Enlisting line with relevant UNESCO cultural conventions.
documentary heritage to promote inclusive, just and
Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the
This is especially relevant in terms of addressing
30th Caribbean regions, along with national committees peaceful societies”. challenges in the fields of preservation and pro-
in 95 countries; as well as the establishment of the
In itself, the theme is a mark of true partner-
tection that include disaster risk reduction; legal
UNESCO International Centre for Documentary
Heritage. ship: It brings together the Co-ordinating Council and/or technological restrictions on preservation
of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA)’s
and access; education and promotion; as well as
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the multi-year theme for the World Day for Audiovisual opportunities and challenges related to information
MoW Programme goes beyond commemorating Heritage, “Your Window to the World”, with the and communications technology developments.
the diverse and important documents that are theme of the MoW Programme’s 30th anniversary By taking a comprehensive view of the cultural
already part of the MoW Register, preserving the celebration, “Enlisting documentary heritage to ecosystem, one that includes documentary heritage,
legacy of previous generations. It embraces those promote inclusive, just and peaceful societies”. Member States can strengthen their efforts to
[1] This Commemorative Statement is coordinated by the International
Centre for Documentary Heritage (a Category) documents generated today, largely produced As such, on 27 October 2022, we celebrate preserve and provide access to all forms of
[2] Centre under the auspices of UNESCO. Its content was shaped by and disseminated digitally, which can only be both the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage and the
documentary heritage experts drawn from the Memory of the World heritage, and implement the 2015 Recommendation
(MoW) Programme’s network of national and regional committees and bequeathed to new generations if they are created 30th anniversary of the MoW Programme. in parallel to UNESCO’s other standard-setting
international non-governmental organizations. It represents their voice on and preserved in ways that preserve their integrity Beyond the dual theme, the celebration re-
the issues that define this 30th anniversary of the establishment of the instruments in the field of cultural heritage.
MoW Programme. and authenticity. Without them, the history of our presents the coming together of diverse memory

26 UNESCO ICDH Newsletter 27 Memories of Today