On Friday, 15 May 2026 at 12:00 CET (Paris time), the Central Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (CENARBICA), in collaboration with the UNESCO Office in Kinshasa, will organise a regional webinar and workshop dedicated to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme.
The initiative forms part of CENARBICA’s 2026 Action Plan and responds to the growing interest and requests from members seeking greater understanding of the programme and its opportunities for documentary heritage institutions and professionals across Central Africa.
KEY INFORMATION
Date
Friday, 15 May 2026
Time
12:00 CET (Paris time). To confirm the date/time of the session in your time zone, please use the following link.
Host
Central Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (CENARBICA)
Location
In-person participation at the UNESCO offices in Kinshasa, and online participation via Zoom.
Date
Friday, 15 May 2026
Time
12:00 CET (Paris time). To confirm the date/time of the session in your time zone, please use the following link.
Host
Central Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (CENARBICA)
Location
In-person participation at the UNESCO offices in Kinshasa, and online participation via Zoom.
Background
Created in 1982, UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme aims to safeguard and promote documentary heritage as a shared legacy of humanity. The programme encourages documentary heritage institutions, researchers, and cultural heritage professionals to engage with the preservation and international recognition of significant documentary collections through the Memory of the World Register.
As a sub-regional organisation bringing together more than 500 archivists across Central Africa, CENARBICA seeks to strengthen awareness and expertise around the programme among its members, while encouraging regional collaboration on future nominations and heritage initiatives.
Objectives
The workshop will provide members of CENARBICA with a clearer understanding of the organisation and functioning of the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. Particular attention will be given to the procedures for inscription on the International Memory of the World Register and the preparation of nomination projects.
Participants will also have the opportunity to explore the mission and activities of the programme, examine the structure and content of the International Register, and learn more about the composition and organisation of national Memory of the World committees in Central Africa.
The workshop will further encourage discussion on national and international perspectives for joint nominations, while offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with the UNESCO expert and panellist during dedicated question-and-answer sessions.
Format and Participants
The event will be organised in a hybrid format. Around 20 Congolese archivists will participate in person at the UNESCO offices in Kinshasa, while more than 60 additional archivists from the CENARBICA network are expected to join online via Zoom.
The workshop will bring together archival professionals and other stakeholders interested in documentary heritage and the promotion of archival preservation initiatives in the region.
