Libraries may be interested in the announcement below. I am a member of
the UK Memory of the World Working Group and would be pleased to provide
further details of the new Register
Michael Heaney
Executive Secretary, Oxford University Library Services
Clarendon Building, Bodleian Library
Oxford OX1 3BG UK
t: +44 (0) 1865 277 236
f: +44 (0) 1865 277 187
e: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
________________________________
From: Archivists, conservators and records managers.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Dawson
Sent: 31 July 2009 08:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Magna Carta awarded unique UN status
List members may be interested in the UNESCO UK Commission Press Release
below. Please note that we will be launching a UK Memory of the World
Register in the Autumn.
See
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=1538&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SE
CTION=201.html
For more background about the Memory of the World programme.
David
David Dawson
Director, WANHS and Chair UNESCO UK Commission Memory of the World
Working Group
Wiltshire Heritage Museum <http://www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/>
41 Long Street
Devizes
SN10 1NS
Telephone: 01380 727369
LONDON, UK - 30 July 2009. The four surviving copies of the 1215 Magna
Carta have been awarded 'Memory of the World' status by the UN
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today, in
recognition of their outstanding universal value. With their Inscription
on the Memory of the World Register, the documents, held by the British
Library, Salisbury Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral, join the ranks of
some of the world's most significant documentary heritage.
The UNESCO Memory of the World International Register is a catalogue of
documentary heritage of global significance and outstanding universal
value - akin to a World Heritage Site list for documents and archives.
The International Register is the public face of UNESCO's Memory of the
World programme, which promotes access to the world's archive holdings
and library collections, as well as their preservation.
The inscription covers the four surviving copies of the version of Magna
Carta forced on King John by the Barons of England at Runnymede in June
1215. Magna Carta is a charter which, for the first time, detailed
written constraints on royal authority in the fields of church rights,
taxation, feudal rights and justice. It has become an icon for freedom
and democracy throughout the world.
Phil Spence, Director of Operations and Services at the British Library,
said, "I am delighted that Magna Carta has been inscribed on the UNESCO
Memory of the World Register. Magna Carta is a fundamental document in
the history of our nation, and has international significance for its
definition of the rights of the individual. The declaration that "no
free man should be imprisoned without the lawful judgment of his equals"
still has great resonance 800 years after Magna Carta was first drawn
up. The two original copies of Magna Carta are among the British
Library's most historically evocative, precious and popular treasures.
Their dedicated room in our exhibition gallery and expert presentation
on our website are two of our most visited and widely appreciated public
venues."
Mark Bonney, Canon Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral, recognises the
significant of the inscription. "Salisbury Cathedral is well aware of
the global significance of Magna Carta and extremely proud to own the
finest preserved of the original 1215 documents. Seeing this most
famous of English charters, sealed by an English King almost 800 years
ago, is for many visitors the highlight of their time at Salisbury
Cathedral. Indeed, we know that for 50% of our overseas guests seeing
Magna Carta is one of the primary reasons for their visit. Its clauses
on social justice form the cornerstone of modern democracy and liberty
worldwide and are as pertinent today as they were 800 years ago."
The Very Reverend Philip Buckler, Dean of Lincoln, is delighted with the
UNESCO award, commenting, "The significance of Magna Carta worldwide
cannot be overstated. In particular, its status as the inspiration for
the US constitution is very important. As we approach 2015, the 800th
anniversary of the Runnymede confrontation, Magna Carta will be at the
centre of a celebration of the universal values it created. The Memory
of the World designation will help carry these values forward."
Chairman of the Magna Carta Trust Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony, Master
of the Rolls, welcomed the UNESCO announcement, saying, "There are few
documents which have had the resonance of the Magna Carta, the
foundation of English law and the first recognition that the people have
rights enshrined in law and that even monarchs' powers are limited.
Following the signing of the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215, virtually
every country in the world has sooner or later, embraced democracy,
recognised human rights and espoused the rule of law."
"The four surviving copies of 1215 Magna Carta are a unique testament to
the world's rich documentary heritage," says David Dawson, Chair of the
UK Memory of the World Committee. "It is exactly these types of
documents that the Memory of the World Register seeks to help preserve
and promote access to."
On 30 July, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura,
approved the inscription following a recommendation by the 14-member
International Advisory Committee of UNESCO's Memory of the World
programme.
Magna Carta is the fourth Memory of the World inscription from the UK.
It joins the 1916 film about The Battle of the Somme (inscribed in
2005); The Appeal of 18 June 1940 by Gen. de Gaulle calling the French
people to arms and made in the BBC studios in London (joint nomination
with France, inscribed in 2005); and the Mappa Mundi held at Hereford
Cathedral (inscribed in 2007). By receiving Memory of the World status,
Magna Carta joins a list of exceptional documents which includes the
likes of the pre-Colombian Aztec Codices in Mexico, the Korean Jikji
(the earliest surviving book printed using metal type) and Gutenberg's
Bible printed in Göttingen, Germany. Following this most recent round of
inscriptions, there are 193 items on the International Register.
Country-level Memory of the World Registers also exist around the globe
to promote documentary heritage of local significance. The UK Memory of
the World Register will be launched in Autumn 2009.
ENDS
The Wiltshire Heritage Museum and Library are owned and operated by the
Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (WANHS). Funding
comes primarily from private sources, but also through annual grants
from Wiltshire Council, Devizes Town Council and parish councils, as
well as other sources for specific projects.
Nothing in this e-mail message amounts to a contractual or any other
legal commitment on the part of the WANHS unless confirmed by a signed
communication on official paper.
For further information about the Society and Museum visit
www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk.
Founded 1853. Registered Charity No. 1080096. A Company Limited by
Guarantee Registered in England No. 3885649, 41 Long Street, Devizes,
Wiltshire, SN10 1NS
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