The United Nations (UN)’s World Day for Audiovisual Heritage (WDAH) is annually observed across the globe on October 27 to celebrate the importance of preserving audiovisual (AV) heritage and safeguarding the world’s audiovisual records. It also recognizes the professionals and organizations dedicated to audiovisual preservation.
- The WDAH is an initiative for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA).
Background:
i.In October 2005, UNESCO adopted the resolution (33 C/ Resolution 53) during the 33rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference and proclaimed the 27th October of every year as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage (WDAH).
ii.In 2005 UNESCO General Assembly approved the WDAH to mark the 25th anniversary of UNESCO’s “Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images” adopted by the 21st General Conference on 27th October 1980.
- The first-ever WDAH was observed on 27th October 2006.
UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize:
i.In April 2004, UNESCO’s Executive Board approved the establishment of the UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize.
ii.This prize was created to commemorate the inclusion of Jikji, the world’s oldest existing book printed with movable metal type in the Memory of the World Register.
iii.The award recognizes outstanding efforts to safeguard and provide access to documentary heritage, highlighting its collective importance for humanity.
- Aligned with UNESCO’s mission, the prize reinforces the organization’s commitment to universal access to information and knowledge.
About Audiovisual Heritage:
i.The primary sources of information from the 20th and 21st centuries are found in audiovisual media, which encompass movies, radio and television programs, as well as audio and video recordings.
ii.In addition, the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) house tens of thousands of audiovisual objects including images, maps, posters, recordings, videos, and more.
UNESCO’s Digitization Initiative:
i.AV archives serve as invaluable repositories of global heritage, offering insights into diverse cultures and people worldwide.
ii.In 2015, the UNESCO launched ‘Digitizing Our Shared UNESCO History’, a fundraising project to digitize the Organization’s archives. The archives date back to its predecessors, including the League of Nations’ International Institute for Intellectual Cooperation.
- The project underscores the significance of safeguarding and promoting this collective memory for current and future generations.
About Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA):
Chair– Karen Chan
Established – 1981
Members– 9
