Librarians, archivists, sound and film archivists, historians, publishers, multimedia experts and scientists from all over the world are invited to participate. The First International Memory of the World Conference, held in 1996 in Oslo, Norway, highlighted the results achieved by the Programme, promoted national and regional plans for preservation and access and adopted a resolution urging all countries to become active participants in the Programme. The first objective of the Programme is to ensure the preservation, by the most appropriate means, of documentary heritage which has world significance and to encourage the preservation of documentary heritage which has national and regional significance. The second objective is making this heritage accessible to as many people as possible, using the most appropriate technology, both inside and outside the countries in which it is physically located. Preservation of documentary heritage and increased access to it complement one another.
Access facilitates protection and preservation ensures access.
Another element of the Programme is to raise the awareness in Member States to their documentary heritage. This refers particulary to aspects of that heritage which are significant in terms of common world memory. The Programme seeks to develop products based on this documentary heritage and make them available for wide distribution, while ensuring that the originals are maintained in the best possible conditions of conservation and security. To strengthened the collaboration between experts and institutions in the field of preservation and safeguard of documentary heritage at regional, national and international level in Latin America and the Caribbean, a Regional Memory of the World Committee was created. During its session the Pachuca declaration was adopted.