About the project

The Memory of the World Secretariat implements this initiative through project cycles, in line with its 2015 Recommendation.
Document preservation
Unsplash/Ula Kuzma

Initial phase

The first phase of the project , had a twofold objective: 

  1. Enable Member States and memory institutions to develop effective disaster risk reduction policies and strategies  
  2. Enhance preservation skills by adopting a proactive approach to disaster management. 

A series of three regional capacity building workshops held in Bhutan, Australia and Senegal provided documentary heritage experts with increased knowledge and skills for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

Main outcomes

Policy framework

As a result, in a collaborative effort, the project stakeholders have laid the groundwork for the policy framework UNESCO's Action for the Sustainable Preservation of Documentary Heritage through Disaster Risk Reduction, centred around four priority areas of action:
1
Understanding disaster risk management

in relation to documentary heritage.

2
Strengthening disaster risk governance

for preservation of and accessibility to documentary heritage.

3
Investing in disaster risk reduction

for documentary heritage to enhance resilience.

4
Enhancing disaster preparedness

for effective response and to 鈥淏uild Back Better鈥 in recovery of documentary heritage.

Endless book tunnel

Final project report

Discover the impact of the first phase of the project.

Second phase

Given the need to continue to integrate a culture of disaster risk reduction on a global scale, the second phase of the project, Consolidating the Gains in Policy Development and Capacity Building for the Preservation and Accessibility of Documentary Heritage was launched in June 2022.

To launch the project and with the increased support of the Government of Japan, policy-makers and memory institutions experts gathered at the third edition of the Memory of the World Global Policy Forum - a solid start in furthering policy advocacy and raising awareness on the needs through enhanced international cooperation.

The project invites stakeholders from all regions, especially from Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, to engage in upcoming activities.

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