Memory of The World

UNESCO launched the Memory of the World (MoW) Programme in 1992 to guard against the collective amnesia, calling upon the preservation of the valuable archive holdings and library collections all over the world and ensuring their wide dissemination. The Programme’s vision is that the world’s documentary heritage belongs to all, should be fully preserved and protected for all and, with due recognition of cultural mores and practicalities, should be permanently accessible to all without hindrance. 

Memory of the World Register

The Memory of the World (MoW) Register lists documentary heritage which has been recommended by the International Advisory Committee, and endorsed by the Executive Board, as corresponding to the selection criteria regarding world significance and outstanding universal value. Inscription on the Register publicly affirms the significance of the documentary heritage, makes it better known and allows for greater access to it, thereby facilitating research, education, entertainment, and preservation over time. 

In June 2000 UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (MOWLAC) was established, with the objective of promoting the Programme in the Region. In 2002 the first nominations were registered in Memory of The World Programme Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

First Catechism Written in Papiamentu Language

The First Catechism Written in Papiamentu Language named ‘Catecismo corticu pa uso di catolicanan di Curaçao’ (Short Catechism to be used by the Catholics of Curaçao), was submitted in 2008 by the Netherlands Antilles and was recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2009.

“Papiamentu is widely spoken by almost a quarter million people in the Dutch Caribbean islands today, across social class, race and ethnicity. This language is also spoken by a growing Antillean Diaspora community in the Netherlands. “The word Papiamentu comes from the verb “papia”, which means to speak. “-mentu” is the suffix that forms the noun, denoting: “the way that something is done.” Papiamentu translates into “the way of speaking”. But more than a way of speaking the Papiamentu-language is a way of life. It is the backbone of the community and identity on the ABC-islands of the Netherlands Antilles located off the coast of Venezuela.

Papiamentu is an Afro-Portuguese-based Creole developed by the enslaved who lived on the ABC islands of the Netherlands Antilles from the 17th till the mid-19th century. The importation of African enslaved people to the Netherlands Antilles started after the conquest by the Dutch of Portuguese strongholds in Angola in 1641. For the evangelization of these enslaved, through the years, many foreign missionaries were sent to these islands. This was also the case with Mgr. Martinus Joannes Niewindt, a Dutch Catholic priest, who arrived at Curaçao in 1824.

The translations of the Roman Catholic catechism into Papiamentu in 1826 and 1837 by Mgr. Niewindt have had great impact on the history of the ABC-islands because they represent the genesis of writing in Papiamentu. The Catechism is the oldest surviving document where Papiamentu appears in a full book-form printed publication. It is one of the few remaining examples from the early 19th century Catholic press on the Netherlands Antilles, when Papiamentu began appearing in print for the first time in its linguistic history. These publications mark a turning point in the process of recognition of Papiamentu. This Creole language evolved from an informally popular spoken tongue to the official language of the people of the ABC islands. This recognition took place in 2007 in Curaçao

Dutch West India Company (Westindische Compagnie) Archives

Other registries include Dutch West India Company (Westindische Compagnie) Archives, submitted in 2010 by the Netherlands, Brazil, Ghana, Guyana, Netherlands Antilles, Suriname, United Kingdom and United States of America and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2011.

Memory of the World National Committee of Curaçao

The Curaçao Memory of The World Committee Curaçao meets for now once a month to discuss the Memory of The World International Register and Memory of The World Programme Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a great challenge to encourage and nominate submissions of interest for the list. At present there is no specific website as yet, but in the meanwhile will make use of the National Commissions website and other social media platforms.

The committee will operate within the framework and objectives specified in the Memory of the World General Guidelines and will have the following specific functions:
1. Advise the Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO, which already works in collaboration with the Kingston Cluster Office in the Caribbean, the International Advisory Committee, the Regional Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, to implement the guidelines of the Program and the Recommendation approved in 2015 regarding the preservation of documentary heritage including in digital form.
2. Promote and divulge the Memory of the World program in Curaçao.
3. Promote national projects related to Memory of the World and search for resources to carry them out.
4. Create, divulge and promote the National Register of Memory of the World in Curaçao and monitor the national, regional and international inscriptions of Curaçao and where applicable, in collaboration with the National Committees in other parts of the Dutch Caribbean.
5. Promote nominations of documentary heritage on the National, Regional and International Register of Memory of the World.
6. Undertake capacity building workshops and training sessions on Memory of the World and undertake awareness raising activities.

Members of the Committee

Ms Lianne Leonora
Manager Mongui Maduro Library

Willemstad, Curaçao

Ms Marva C. Browne
Secretary General Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO

Schouwburgweg 24/26
Willemstad, Curaçao

Ms Modianne Cathalina
Department of Archive Management & Services

Scharlooweg 77
Willemstad, Curaçao

Professor Dr Ronald Severing
University of Curaçao Dr. Moises da Costa Gomez (UoC)

Willemstad, Curaçao

Ms Harely Martina, BSc
Head, Department of Communication & Information

WTC Building
Pisadera Bay z/n
Willemstad, Curaçao

Ms Lida Pandt
NAAM – National Archaeological Anthropological Memory Management

Willemstad, Curaçao

Mr Arthur Tholel
Biblioteka Nashonal Kòrsou Frank Martinus Arion

Fokkerweg 17/ Schottegatweg Zuid 36
Willemstad, Curaçao

Ms Lisette Rosini
Librarian

Jan Noorduynweg 111
Willemstad, Curaçao