UNESCO's Memory of the World program raises the need to turn the pandemic into an opportunity to leverage cultural resources and as a starting point will launch a regional survey
The COVID-19 pandemic has put us in a situation where care and solidarity must prevail. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of the Memory of the World Program in Latin America and the Caribbean’s work in strengthening access to documentary and digital heritage and ensuring that preservation is a priority - all of which is in line with the joint statement entitled "Turning the threat of COVID-19 into an opportunity for greater support for documentary heritage" issued in April and signed by UNESCO, the MoW Regional Committees and a number of International Institutions and Associations.
The document states that
"Several countries have already issued orders for meticulous preservation of official records related to the pandemic. This not only underlines the gravity of the current situation, but also highlights the importance of memory institutions in providing the records or information management resources necessary for understanding, contextualizing and overcoming such crises in the future. At the same time, records of humanity’s artistic and creative expressions, which form a vital part of our documentary heritage, are a source of social connectivity and resilience for communities worldwide.”
On 17th September 2020, the Memory of the World Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean will meet to discuss the implementation of a survey on the current situation of the documents and files incorporated into the MoWLAC register; thus fulfilling the mission to monitor the current situation of documentary heritage in LAC and strengthen the dialogue between relevant institutions.
“We express our solidarity and respect for all victims of COVID-19” - UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean.