International Memory of the World Register
The International Memory of the World (MoW) Register is a catalogue of documentary heritage of global significance and outstanding universal value. Established in 1997, the list now includes 193 inscriptions, reflecting the wealth and diversity of humanity’s documentary heritage. Inscriptions are made to the International Register every two years.
The Director-General of UNESCO appoints an International Advisory Committee (IAC) with 14 members to guide the planning and implementation of the MoW programme, including inscriptions to the International Register. The recommendations for inscription made by the IAC are then forwarded to the Director-General for endorsement.
The UK currently has four inscriptions on the International Register.
1215 Magna Carta
Year of Inscription: 2009
The critical importance of the charter lies in the fact that it imposed, for the first time, detailed written constraints on royal authority regarding taxation, feudal rights and justice. It also asserted the power of customary practice to limit unjust and arbitrary behaviour by the king and has become a symbol for freedom and democracy throughout the world.
Hereford Mappa Mundi
Year of inscription: 2007
The Hereford Mappa Mundi is the only complete example of a large medieval world map intended for public display. It is very different to our modern understanding of a world map as it shows not only locations of places and geographic features but also acts as a visual encyclopaedia with historical, anthropological, ethnographical, biblical, classical and theological information. The map is pivotal in our understanding of medieval cartography and sense of place and still has relevance to all peoples in helping them to understand their sense of humanity and self.
The Appeal of 18 June 1940
Year of inscription: 2005
The Appeal of 18 June is one of the most remarkable pieces in the history of radio broadcasting. Radio was no longer just a means of entertainment or propaganda available to the powers that be; it also now provided the technical means to enable an isolated individual to launch a huge resistance movement from outside his own country, to urge his fellow citizens to oppose foreign rule and subservience and to fight for the restoration of freedoms. The power and universality of this medium require no further proof.
Joint inscription between the UK and France.
The Battle of the Somme
Year of inscription: 2005
The 1916 film The Battle of the Somme is uniquely significant both as the compelling documentary record of one of the key battles of the First World War and as the first feature-length documentary film record of combat produced anywhere in the world. In the latter role, the film played a major part in establishing the methodology of documentary and propaganda film, and initiated debate on a number of issues relating to the ethical treatment of “factual” film which continue to be relevant to this day. Seen by many millions of British civilians within the first month of distribution, The Battle of the Somme was recognized at the time as a phenomenon that allowed the civilian home-front audience to share the experiences of the front-line soldier, thus helping both to create and to reflect the concept of Total War.
For further information on the International Register, including details on all current inscriptions, visit the UNESCO International Register website.
Pages in this section
- Nominations to the International Register
-
- Know of documentary heritage of global significance and outstanding universal value? Consider a nomination to the International Register
Image Gallery
Click on an image to start the gallery
-
-
The Hereford Mappa Mundi
-
The Appeal of 18 June, International Memory of the World Register inscription
-
The 1916 film 'The Battle of the Somme' is uniquely significant.
-