As part of the PEACE Project, UNESCO in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts/TSGM, with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), completed a comprehensive assessment of archival collections and preservation practices at key memorial institutions in Cambodia. The assessment reviewed the condition of archival materials, storage environments, collection management systems, and institutional capacities to identify priorities for long-term preservation and access.
The findings highlight both the value of these collections and the challenges they face. Many records are unique and hold significant historical importance, yet they remain vulnerable to deterioration caused by age, environmental conditions, and limited preservation resources. The assessment provides institutions with practical recommendations to strengthen preservation practices, improve storage conditions, and guide future digitization efforts.
For the professionals who care for these collections every day, the work goes beyond preserving old documents: “Every document we preserve is more than a piece of paper. It carries memories, evidence, and human experiences that must not be forgotten. If these records are lost, part of our shared history disappears with them. This assessment helps us understand how we can better protect these materials for future generations.”
Sdan Samrithpisey, Paper Conservator and Cambodian Archive Restoration Specialist, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM).
The assessment also recognizes the dedication of archive professionals whose expertise ensures that historical records remain accessible for researchers, students, survivors, and the wider public. Their efforts contribute to preserving evidence of the past while promoting historical understanding and a culture of peace.
Looking ahead, the assessment findings will serve as a roadmap for future improvements in archive management, conservation, and digitization. By strengthening institutional capacity today, Cambodia’s memorial institutions are better equipped to safeguard their documentary heritage for generations to come.
Through KOICA’s continued support, the PEACE Project helps preserve not only documents and records, but also the memories and lessons they contain—ensuring that the voices of the past continue to inform and inspire the future.
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/assessing-archives-safeguard-cambodias-memory?hub=701
