In the Seminar on Audiovisual Archives: Participants Agree on Joint Action to Preserve Human Heritage
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Alexandria—
The Regional Seminar on Audiovisual Archives: Audiovisual Archives in the Digital Era: A New Deal was concluded on Wednesday, 20 June 2007. The three-day seminar was co-organized by the BA and the “Institut National de l’audiovisuel” (INA).
Bernard Salome, Special Representative to the BA Director, stated in the closing ceremony that there was a dire need for joint action and gathering of concerned parties from the North and the South to implement the digitization projects on audiovisual archives, thus enriching cultural and human heritage. He added that there are new givens in the field of archiving, as regards to transformation from analogue to digital formats, a matter that requires time, effort, and funding. He also referred to the willingness of the Library to participate in several projects proposed at the seminar. Salome announced the signing of an agreement between the BA and the INA on archiving audiovisual radio, television, cinema, and multimedia material in the Mediterranean region.
Herbert Hayduck, Secretary General, International Federation of Television Archives, stated that the seminar held at the BA is a step on the right path and a launching signal for more events to come in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. He added that the cooperation between the International Federation of Television Archives, the BA, the INA, and other international and Mediterranean organizations will continue with the convening of a similar conference in 2008.
Sue Malden, International Federation of Television Archives, added that audiovisual archives are at stake, as a result of improper storage, airing, and other factors that damage our cultural and human heritage.