UNESCO and the Challenge of Preserving the Digital Cultural Heritage

Abstract

In recent years there has been a growing awareness of the need to preserve the digital cultural heritage, a part of which is at significant risk of being lost. In light of the pressing demands to develop informed and targeted strategies, this article analyses UNESCO’s approach towards the preservation of the digital cultural heritage. Being the lead UN agency in the field of cultural heritage preservation, the organization responded to the challenge early on, notably by adopting the Charter on the Preservation of Digital Heritage. The article thus outlines UNESCO’s competencies regarding the digital cultural heritage as well as its concept thereof, before examining the organization’s strategies for the preservation of digital cultural heritage. Furthermore, by providing an outlook on some emerging trends, i.e. increasing privatization and commercialization, future requirements are identified.