Safeguarding the Memory of the World – UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Preservation of, Access to, Documentary Heritage in the Digital Era

Documentary heritage in archives, libraries and museums constitutes a major part of the memory of the peoples of the world and reflects the diversity of peoples, languages and cultures.  The issue of preserving this heritage has been a source of concern to specialists and other familiar with its fragility and the ensuing risks of losing important sources of information. Professional groups have urged UNESCO to develop a standard-setting instrument to provide the basis for the protection of the world’s documentary heritage, including in digital form. Protection can be effectively achieved through strategic policies that contribute to enhanced national legislative and implementation frameworks in Member States.

At its 190th session, the Executive Board (190 EX/Decision 16) requested the Director-General to undertake and present to it the results of a preliminary study of the various elements to be taken into consideration in developing an instrument to lay the legal basis for the protection of documentary heritage.

The General Conference, at its 37th session, took note of the findings of the preliminary study and invited the Director-General to submit to it a draft Recommendation on preservation of, and access to documentary heritage, including digital heritage”  (37 C/Resolution 53). A preliminary report of the Director General, together with the initial draft of the recommendation, was sent for comments to Member States on 4 September 2014 (CL/4075); followed by a final report containing a revised version of the Recommendation on 3 April 2015 (CL/4104).

In order to finalize the draft Recommendation, which then will be submitted to the General Conference at its 38th session, an Intergovernmental Special Committee meeting related to the Draft Recommendation concerning the Preservation of, Access to, Documentary Heritage in the Digital Era is convened  at UNESCO Headquarters on 1 and 2 July 2015.

Decisions and Resolutions

[2012] 190th session of the Executive Board "Report by the Director-General on the experts meeting on strengthening the Memory of the World Programme"
(190 EX/Decision 16) (EN | FR | ES | AR | CH | RU)

[2013] 191st session of the Executive Board "Preliminary study of the technical, financial and legal aspects on the desirability of a standard-setting instrument on preservation and access to documentary heritage" (191 EX/Decision 11 (II))
(EN | FR | ES | AR | CH | RU)

[2013] 37th session of the General Conference "Preliminary study of the technical, financial and legal aspects relating to the desirability of a standard-setting instrument on preservation and access to documentary heritage" (37 C/Resolution 53)
(EN | FR | ES | AR | CH | RU)