UNESCO launches survey to better understand Saudi Arabian documentary heritage needs

In a continued effort to safeguard and promote documentary heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNESCO has launched a comprehensive survey aimed at assessing the needs of memory institutions across the country. This initiative, led by the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, complements and continues the efforts of the Memory of the World (MoW) Programme in Saudi Arabia and is building on an initial initiative launched in 2019 to support the preservation and protection of documentary heritage in the Arab region.

Despite the remarkable significance of Saudi Arabian documentary heritage, there remain limited empirical resources regarding its situation on a national level, and a lack of data regarding the needs of memory institutions safeguarding such items and collections. The 2019 UNESCO regional survey revealed several critical challenges facing documentary heritage in the wider Arab region, including insufficient resources, a lack of awareness about the significance of documentary heritage, and the need for enhanced capacity building. This regional survey highlights the need for more comprehensive data on Saudi Arabia to enable a thorough understanding of the state of documentary heritage and the needs of memory institutions in the country.

To address these gaps, the newly launched survey aims to gather more comprehensive data by mapping institutions in Saudi Arabia and conducting a needs assessment, thereby enabling a clearer understanding of the current status and challenges of documentary heritage in the country. The findings of this survey are expected to offer valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by these institutions, enabling more targeted and effective support for the preservation of Saudi Arabian documentary heritage. By contextualizing the needs and challenges of Saudi Arabian memory institutions within the broader data from the Arab region, UNESCO aims to highlight the significance of Saudi Arabian documentary heritage on both a regional and global scale. The survey's outcomes will also serve to enhance UNESCO's ability to provide tailored support for the protection and preservation of this heritage, ensuring its continued relevance and accessibility for future generations.

This initiative is part of the broader project "Preserving and Raising Awareness of Documentary Heritage in AlUla and Saudi Arabia." It underscores UNESCO's commitment to working closely with local and regional stakeholders to safeguard the rich documentary heritage of Saudi Arabia, showcasing its importance not only for the region but for the world.

All documentary heritage institutions and collectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are invited to participate in the online survey, which is open until 30 October 2024.

Participation can be completed through the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DocumentaryHeritage