Introducing children to documentary heritage: Let’s Explore the Memory of the World

Children living in the digital age exchange news and knowledge with the external world at an unprecedented speed and volume. As increasingly diverse media provide educational platforms and resources to the young generation, UNESCO continues to develop reading materials for children which are open to access, and helpful to form their cognitions of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.

In order to introduce young children to the value of documentary heritage and stimulate their interest in diverse histories and cultures, UNESCO newly published the book Let’s Explore the Memory of the World targeting initially the primary school level. Following the guidance of the book, readers will embark on a journey to learn about UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme and other prominent documentary heritage collections from all over the world.

This book comprises written and illustrated descriptions as well as carefully compiled information and photographs about the Memory of the World’s missions and inscriptions. This includes a visually rich sequence of collections from the Asia-Pacific region and also some of the Memory of the World’s most popular international inscriptions. The three main characters depicted in the narrative make interesting discoveries and gradually collect their stories as part of their exploration, driven by their quest for wisdom, knowledge and peace.

Beyond this, the book highlights important themes embedded in documentary heritage such as languages, religions, geography, gender equality, mutual understanding and human rights among others issues. The last section includes creative exercises to encourage young readers to help in archiving and collecting documentary heritage, and explain the selection, preservation and access processes.

This book attempts to develop children’s consciousness of learning, creating and preserving their memories. It also encourages parents and educators to understand the importance of protecting the world’s documentary heritage and to explain the Memory of the World Programme to their children from an early age.

Supported by Asia Culture Center and Asia Culture Institute in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, the printed books were distributed to the MoW National Committees in Asia and the Pacific, the custodians of inscriptions listed in the book and to the network of UNESCO Associated Schools in the region.

UNESCO's Memory of the World (MoW) Programme was created with the aim to preserve archives and documents from aging, damage and loss. The Programme also encourages more people, especially younger generations, to access and raise awareness about the priceless testimonies of their own countries and the whole world.