UNESCO Charter on the Preservation of Digital Heritage

Summary

On October 17, 2003, UNESCO’s General Conference adopted the Charter on the Preservation of the Digital Heritage, outlining principles for safeguarding digital resources. The Charter emphasizes the importance of preserving digital heritage, which includes cultural, educational, scientific, and administrative materials in digital form. It highlights that digital heritage is at risk due to rapid technological changes, obsolescence of hardware and software, and lack of preservation strategies.

The Charter mandates UNESCO to incorporate its principles into its programs, promote their implementation, and foster international collaboration to enhance digital preservation. Key responsibilities include developing strategies, protecting digital materials through legal and technical measures, and ensuring broad access while safeguarding sensitive information. It also calls for partnerships and cooperation across governments, industries, and institutions to address the digital divide and ensure the continued accessibility of digital heritage. At the end of the first six years of the Charter’s implementation, UNESCO is to assess the need for additional standards to further support digital preservation globally.