Calling for nominations for Memory of the World International Register: Deadline 31 March 2012
Ancient Naxi Dongba Literature Manuscripts, inscribed on Memory of the World Register in 2003 - © Lijiang Prefecture Administration, Yunnan, China
UNESCO is inviting new nomination proposals for inscription on its Memory of the World International Register, a list of library collections and archive holdings of world significance, which was established in 1997 to promote documentary heritage of universal value.
Nominations should ideally be submitted through the National Commissions for UNESCO or the Memory of the World National Committees in the countries where they are located.
The deadline for the submission of nominations is 31 March 2012 and no late submissions will be accepted.
At present, a total of 245 collections submitted by 98 different countries, 3 international organizations and one private foundation are inscribed on the International Register of the Memory of the World Programme. Regional registers have been created for the Memory of the World Committees for Asia/Pacific (MOWCAP) and Latin America/Caribbean (MOWLAC), and an increasing number of countries have now established national registers. Assessment for inscription on the Register is determined by a panel of experts, the Register Sub-committee and the International Advisory Committee (IAC) whose recommendations are forwarded to the Director-General for final decision.
UNESCO launched the Memory of the World Programme to guard against collective amnesia calling upon the preservation of the valuable archive holdings and library collections all over the world ensuring their wide dissemination. The Programme is intended to protect documentary heritage, and helps networks of experts to exchange information and raise resources for preservation of and access to documentary material.
More details can be found at www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/news-and-in-focus-articles/all-news/news/calls_for_new_nominations_for_memory_of_the_world_international_register-6/