Country’s WWII archive recognised by world memory institute

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE World War II record in the National Archives of the Solomon Islands (NASI) has been inscribed in the Memory of the World for Asia and Pacific (MOWCAP) Register.

Solomon Islands gained recognition for its WWII history after being nominated to MOWCAP in 2016 and receiving the award during the 8th General Meeting in Gwangju City, Republic of Korea which was held from May 28 – June 1 this year.

Government Archivist Mrs Margaret Inifiri said NASI was nominated because of its rich heritage and significance, not only nationally but universally as well.

She said the WWII records are the administrative records created during the time of the war and after the war.

Mrs Inifiri said such the documents are of huge significance to the Solomon Islands, the Pacific region, Japan, the United States and British colonial history and the world generally.

She said NASI’s nomination was submitted to the MOWCAP Secretariat in 2016.

Training was provided by UNESCO for nominators, where they were assisted and guided by MOWCAP experts so that their nominations follow a prescribed format.

E-copies of nomination were submitted to the Secretariat as they have biennial intakes.

Nomination then goes before the Register Sub-committee which undertakes initial in-depth research and assessment of the nominations.

The RSC makes recommendations, referrals or rejection and to the nominations.

NASI’s nomination was recommendation for inscription to the Memory of the World for Asia and Pacific Register to be voted on during the MOWCAP General Meeting.

Amongst 10 nominations that were voted during the recent General Meeting, two were from the Pacific, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu and the rest from Asia.

By having the WWII Records inscribed, it means that UNESCO has said that these documents are significant to the world.

Inscription gives one the right to use the MOWCAP (UNESCO) logo when it is directly associated with the inscribed documents—example, in an exhibition.

Inscription to the register is also useful if you are applying for funds associated with the care and accessibility of the inscribed collection.

The documents remain NASI ownership.

However, MOWCAP will take opportunities to highlight the inscription so that the world is aware of the significant documents held at NASI—example news item, face book page, Instagram and website.

The documents will be permanently on the MOWCAP register.

The only reason to remove them from the register would be if MOWCAP became aware the description, preservation and access to the inscribed documents were not consistent with the information provided on the nomination form.

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