What is the UNESCO Memory of the World Program?
UNESCO established the Memory of the World Program in 1992 as an international initiative to preserve and make accessible documentary heritage from all over the world. The Memory of the World Program seeks to safeguard documentary heritage against war and social upheaval, a lack of resources, destruction, neglect and collective amnesia.
The mission of the Memory of the World Program is:
Current U.S. entries to the Memory of the World Register include:
The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming 1939), produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
John Marshall Ju/’hoan Bushman Film and Video Collection, 1950-200
Silver Men: West Indian Labourers at the Panama Canal
For a full list of U.S. entries, click here.
As a member state of UNESCO, the U.S. can nominate two submissions to the Memory of the World Register every two years. The next meeting of the Memory of the World International Advisory Committee, which reviews nominations for the Memory of the World Register, is expected to convene in the spring of 2013.
If you’re interested in having a U.S. collection included on the Memory of the World Register please take a look at the nomination form, then contact the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO at DCUNESCO@state.gov
