FIAT/IFTA World Conference 2018

“Preserve” and “safeguard” are key words within UNESCO’s mandate. In order to face situations where no “physical” action is possible, our Organization has progressively attributed more and more importance to digitalization, as a fundamental tool that allows keeping trace of memory and history to ensure that it does not disappear or is forgotten. UNESCO recognizes the fundamental role of digital and audiovisual archives, with a special focus concerning the conservation of: 1) World’s documentary heritage, 2) Intangible Cultural Heritage, 3) Cultural Heritage at risk in emergency and crisis situations. In addition to these projects, the Organization has also estimated the importance of archives as duty-bearers for the right to know through the adoption of two standard-setting documents, namely the Universal Declaration on Archives (2011) and the Recommendation concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage Including in Digital Form (2015), which marked a milestone in UNESCO’s work in this field.