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UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme showcases the most significant documents of our heritage. Safeguarding the memory of the world now and into the future provides universal access to our artistic, cultural, economic, geographic, linguistic, political, scientific, spiritual and identity-based heritage. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO maintains the Canada Memory of the World Register, while UNESCO is responsible for the International Memory of the World Register.

The Canada Memory of the World Register

CCUNESCO supports nominees interested in submitting documentary heritage to the Canadian and international registers. With the input of the Advisory Committee, CCUNESCO manages the Canadian listing and makes recommendations for submissions to the international register. Registered entries will ultimately reflect the diversity of our documentary heritage and the realities of our country, Indigenous peoples, regions, communities and individuals.

Visit the Canada Memory of the World Register
Black and white picture of man in fur hat and coat.
Wm. Notman & Son, A. H. Buxton, 1887, reversed glass plate negative, 17.8 x 12.7 cm, II-82621

Call for Nominations

Inscriptions on the Canada Memory of the World Register

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) is pleased to launch the 2023-24 Call for Nominations for Inscription on the Canada Memory of the World Register. We invite all individuals, private or public institutions, organizations and communities to consult the items below for more information on this process.

Call for Nominations
Evaluation Criteria
Nomination Form

Listing documentary heritage in the Registers

Eligible documentary heritage comes in numerous forms: text items, non-text items, audiovisual items and virtual items. These include, but are not limited to, diaries; letters; manuscripts; posters; published books; wampum belts; art works; photographs; recordings, including of oral heritage and storytelling; films; and material made for the web (sites, games, online lessons, apps).

Canada Memory of the World Register

The documentary heritage listed in the Canada Memory of the World Register traces important pieces of Canadian’s collective history and reflects the diversity of its peoples’ heritage.

  • Eligible documentary heritage must be authentic, unique and irreplaceable, and must have Canadian significance.
  • Applicants must respond to CCUNESCO’s Call for Nominations with a Declaration of Interest. Once approved, the nominating entity will be asked to complete and return a nomination form to CCUNESCO.
  • The Canadian Advisory Committee for Memory of the World will evaluate submissions and recommend entries for the Register.

International Memory of the World Register (Canadian submissions)

To be listed in the International Memory of the World Register, inscriptions must be internationally significant in relation to the history of the world and to the heritage of humanity. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO works with the Canada Advisory Committee to identify potential international nominations. In most cases, nominations to the International Register will be drawn from the Canadian Register.

  • UNESCO launches a Call for Nominations every two years.
  • Eligible documentary heritage must be authentic, unique and irreplaceable, and must have global significance.
  • Applicants must respond to the UNESCO Secretariat’s Call for Nominations by submitting a nomination form to CCUNESCO.
  • The Canadian Advisory Committee for Memory of the World evaluates nominations and recommends submissions for inscription to the International Register.
  • The International Advisory Committee evaluates submissions and recommends entries for the International Register to the Director-General of UNESCO for approval.

For more information, please contact elaine.young@ccunesco.ca.

Meet the Canadian Advisory Committee