Memory of the World Programme facts for kids
The Memory of the World (MoW) Programme is a special project by UNESCO. It finds and protects important documents and records from all over the world. Think of it like a global treasure hunt for history!
Its main goal is to save humanity's documentary heritage. This includes old letters, maps, films, and even digital files. The program works to keep these items safe from being forgotten, damaged, or destroyed. It helps make sure these valuable records are preserved for future generations. It also helps more people learn about them.
After creating a main list called the International Register, UNESCO encouraged countries to make their own lists. These national and regional lists focus on important documents from their own areas.
Contents
Discovering World History: The International Register
The Memory of the World International Register is a special list. It includes the most important documents and records from around the globe. These items have amazing historical value for everyone.
This list features things like old handwritten books (manuscripts) and stories passed down through generations (oral traditions). It also includes films, sound recordings, and important papers from libraries and archives. Experts recommend items for this list. The head of UNESCO then gives the final approval.
The first items were added to the International Register in 1997. Since then, many incredible pieces of history have joined the list. These include recordings of traditional music and ancient languages. There are also old religious texts and scientific papers. Even famous movies and short films are on the list. They all help us understand how the world has changed.
As of April 2025, the International Register had 570 items. These documents help us learn about different cultures and times.
Sometimes, there are disagreements about historical events. For example, in 2015, some groups had different ideas about certain historical records. The MoW Programme aims to be fair and help preserve all important historical documents.
| Region | Number of inscriptions to the Register |
|---|---|
| Memory of the World Register – Africa | 35 |
| Memory of the World Register – Arab States | 17 |
| Memory of the World Register – Asia and the Pacific | 154 |
| Memory of the World Register – Europe and North America | 274 |
| Memory of the World Register – Latin America and the Caribbean | 77 |
| Memory of the World Register – Other | 7 |
| Total | 496 |
Countries with the Most Registered Items
Here are the top countries with the most items on the International Register:
| Rank | Country | Number of inscriptions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Germany |
33 |
| 2 |  United Kingdom |
27 |
| 3 |  Netherlands |
26 |
| 4 |  France |
22 |
| 5 |  South Korea |
20 |
| 6 |  Poland |
19 |
| 7 |  China |
18 |
| 8 |  Spain |
17 |
| 9 |  Austria |
16 |
| 9 |  Russia |
16 |
| 11 |  India |
13 |
How Documents Get on the List
Anyone can suggest an important document for the International Register. This is usually done through their country's UNESCO office. Each country can propose two items during each selection period.
A group called the International Advisory Committee (IAC) manages the program. This committee has 14 members chosen by the head of UNESCO. They carefully review each suggested item. They check its history, condition, and why it's important to the world.
The IAC then suggests which items should be added to the register. They also help create the rules for the program. Several smaller groups help the IAC:
- The Bureau helps manage the program between big meetings.
- The Preservation Sub-Committee gives advice on how to best protect old documents.
- The Register Sub-Committee checks all the nominations and decides if they are good enough.
- The Education and Research Sub-committee helps people learn more about documentary heritage.
- The Secretariat at UNESCO helps run the program day-to-day.
- Local experts in regional and national committees also help carry out the program.
Local and Regional History Lists
Besides the main International Register, many countries and regions have their own lists. These lists highlight important documents that are special to their own history.
Some countries with their own registers include:
- Brazil Memory of the World Register
- Canada Memory of the World Register
- Mexican National Register of the Memory of the World
- Memory of the World Aotearoa New Zealand Ngā Mahara o te Ao
- Philippines Memory of the World Register
- UK Memory of the World Register
There are also two regional lists. These are for the Asia Pacific region and for Latin America and the Caribbean. An African Regional Register is also being created. These regional lists celebrate the unique history of their areas.
The Jikji Prize
The Jikji Prize started in 2004. UNESCO and the South Korean government created it. This prize helps promote the Memory of the World Programme. It also celebrates the Jikji, an ancient Korean book, which was added to the Register in 2001.
The award gives $30,000 from the Korean government. It honors groups that have done great work. These groups help save and share important historical documents. The prize is given every two years during the IAC meetings.
Who Won the Jikji Prize?
- 2005: Czech National Library (Prague)
- 2007: Phonogrammarchiv of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
- 2009: National Archives of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
- 2011: National Archives of Australia
- 2013: Apoyo al Desarrollo de Archivos y Bibliotecas (Mexico City)
- 2016: Iberarchivos Programme for the Development of Ibero-Ameran Archives
- 2018: SAVAMA-DCI (Mali)
- 2020: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (Cambodia)
- 2022: American University in Cairo's Libraries and Learning Technologies, Rare Books and Special Collection Library in Egypt
- 2024: National Library of Indonesia
The Story of the Programme
The Memory of the World Programme began in 1992. It was created to protect and share important historical items. These items include old writings, maps, and court records. They are so important that they matter to everyone, no matter where they live or what time period they are from.
This recorded history shows us the many different languages, people, and cultures of the world. UNESCO, which protects cultural and natural heritage, saw a need to save these fragile but vital parts of our past. The program was set up to help keep these documents safe. It also makes sure everyone can learn from them.
People all over the world are creating memories in forms that are less and less permanent. This includes sound recordings, films, videos, newspapers, photos, or computer files. The amount of information created in the last century is probably more than all previous centuries combined. Sadly, it is also being lost faster than ever before. This is a real tragedy, because what we are losing is the recorded memory of all humankind.
The International Advisory Committee (IAC) held regular meetings starting in 1993. These meetings led to the creation of the International Register in 1995. The first items were added to the register in 1997.
See also
In Spanish: Programa Memoria del Mundo para niños
