The development of information technologies, and in particular the Internet, has created a completely new environment in which the role of traditional information services must be thoroughly revised. The potential of networking, cooperation and digitisation modify substantially the functions of acquiring, storing and disseminating information and knowledge. Here, special attention must be paid to the least developed countries so that they do not lag behind technological advances.
Libraries and Archives are essential components of any strategy aimed at improving information access and preservation, both for the public at large and for specialised groups. Since its creation, UNESCO has contributed to the reinforcement of these types of services.
The World Digital Library
UNESCO and 32 partner institutions launched on 21 April 2009 the World Digital Library, a website that features unique cultural materials from libraries and archives from around the world. The site includes manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, sound recordings, prints and photographs. It provides unrestricted public access, free of charge, to this material.
UNESCO promotes the free flow of all forms of knowledge in education, science, culture and communication. Libraries have always been part of UNESCO’s work in promoting universal access to knowledge.
The Organization is particularly committed to support the World Digital Library to expand and grow worldwide, since it promotes education, research and exchanges through the improved and increased availability of content on the Internet.
UNESCO’s efforts to harness the power of knowledge and information to foster development and to avoid knowledge divide, which refers to the gaps that exist in the four building blocks of Knowledge Societies, namely knowledge creation, knowledge preservation, and knowledge sharing and knowledge application. Libraries, especially digital libraries, are truly at the heart of Knowledge Societies; they enable people to access, share and apply knowledge.
International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032)
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032) for the period 2022-2032 through its Resolution A/RES/74/135) to draw global attention to the critical situation of many indigenous languages and to mobilize stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalization and promotion.
The proclamation of an International Decade is a key outcome of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, for which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lead global efforts. The Organization will continue to serve as the lead UN Agency for implementing the International Decade, cooperating with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and other relevant UN Agencies.
The International Decade aims to ensure indigenous peoples’ right to preserve, revitalize and promote their languages, and mainstream linguistic diversity and multilingualism aspects into the sustainable development efforts. It offers a unique opportunity to collaborate in the areas of policy development and stimulate a global dialogue in a true spirit of multi-stakeholder engagement, and take necessary for the usage, preservation, revitalization and promotion of indigenous languages around the world.
The Memory of the World Programme
UNESCO established the Memory of the World Programme in 1992. Impetus came originally from a growing awareness of the parlous state of preservation of, and access to, documentary heritage in various parts of the world. The vision of the Memory of the World Programme is that 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.
The Memory of World is the collective and documentary memory of peoples of the world – their documentary heritage – representing part of the world’s cultural heritage. It traces the evolution of thinking, discoveries, developments and achievements of humanity. It is the legacy of the past available for the global community of the present and future.
A great part of the Memory of World is found in libraries, archives, museums, and local detainers spread worldwide. A significant percentage of them are endangered today. The documentary heritage of numerous peoples has been dispersed due to accidental removal, war damages of archives or bibliographic collections, or other historical circumstances. Sometimes, practical or political obstacles make its access difficult, while in other cases, deterioration or destruction are the menaces.
The Memory of the World Programme will achieve its objectives by encouraging projects and activities from a global perspective and regional, national, and local ones. Regional and national Memory of the World committees is a crucial part of the Programme structure. As appropriate, they are encouraged to implement the five key strategies (Identification of documentary heritage, Raising awareness, Preservation, Access, and Structures, status and relationships). The Programme's success relies heavily on the drive, initiative and enthusiasm of regional and national committees.
Memory of the World National Committee in Brazil
Mr Maurício Vicente Ferreira Júnior
Director
Brazil
Email: memoriadomundo(at)arquivonacional.gov.br
Memory of the World Register
The Memory of the World Register lists documentary heritage recommended by the International Advisory Committee and endorsed by the Director-General of UNESCO as corresponding to the selection criteria regarding world significance and outstanding universal value.
The Memory of the World Register is the most publicly visible aspect of the Programme. It was founded on the 1995 General Guidelines and has grown through accessions approved by successive IAC meetings.
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The memory of the World Register List: This page provides access to the inscriptions on the International Register listed by different categories such as region, country and year.