UNESCO supports Workshop for Archivists and Librarians on Safeguarding African Documentary Heritage

Earlier this month a contract was signed between UNESCO and IFLA with regard to the organisation of a workshop "Safeguarding the African Documentary Heritage", to be held 26 February - 2 March 2001 in Cape Town, South Africa.

The workshop is being organised in the framework of UNESCO's "Memory of the World" Programme and the Slave Trade Archives Project", on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Joint IFLA/ICA Committee on Preservation in Africa (JICPA).

During this 5-day workshop - intended for archivists and librarians with managerial responsibility for preservation - a number of courses will be presented by experts from Europe and South Africa. Topics will include standards and best practices with regard to preservation, reformatting, digitization.

"After earlier successful JICPA-workshops, UNESCO provides a number of African archives and libraries with another excellent opportunity to update their knowledge of best practices for safeguarding their rich national heritage", commented Sjoerd Koopman, IFLA's Coordinator of Professional Activities.

For more information about "Memory of the World", please contact:
Mr. Aziz Abid, UNESCO: E-mail: a.abid@unesco.org

For more information about JICPA and the workshop, please contact:
Mr. Sjoerd Koopman, IFLA: E-mail: sjoerd.koopman@ifla.org