Memory of the World programme summit to be held in Abu Dhabi next year

ABU DHABI, 8th October, 2015 (WAM) -- The Advisory Board of the Memory of the World Programme, affiliated to UNESCO, has agreed on a proposal to hold a summit for the programme in Abu Dhabi towards the end of 2016. The proposal stipulated that all national commissions, regional branches and specialised committees of the Memory of the World programme from all over the world, along with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, and the International Council on Archives, should meet at the summit. The vision of the Memory of the World Programme is that the world's documentary heritage belongs to all, should be fully preserved and protected for all and, with due recognition of cultural mores and practicalities, should be permanently accessible to all without hindrance. Impetus came originally from a growing awareness of the parlous state of preservation of, and access to, documentary heritage in various parts of the world. War and social upheaval, as well as severe lack of resources, have worsened problems which have existed for centuries. Significant collections worldwide have suffered a variety of fates. Looting and dispersal, illegal trading, destruction, inadequate housing and funding have all played a part. Much has vanished forever, much is still endangered. The National Archives suggested changing the working system entirely in the programme. It also proposed amendments to the primary system and the implementing regulations, as well as on the procedures of entering documents in the Memory of the World programme. Abu Dhabi hosted the discussions of the 12th meeting of the Advisory Board under the auspices of the National Archives this week at the St. Regis Hotel Corniche, where Abdullah Al Rayes, Director-General of the National Archive, was chosen as its chairman until 2018. – Emirates News Agency, WAM -http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395286444775.html