COLLABORATION AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA AND THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA FOR THE DIGITIZATION OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS ARCHIVES
On Monday 3 March 2014, in the Reading Room of the United Nations Archives at Geneva, Palais des Nations, Mr. Michael Møller, Acting Director-General of United Nations Office at Geneva and H.E. Rytis Paulauskas, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations in Geneva signed a collaboration agreement for the digitization of over 50,000 pages from the League of Nations Archives relating to Lithuania between 1920 and 1946.
H.E. Ambassador Rytis Paulauskas stressed that this digitalization ensures the preservation of Lithuanian multilateral diplomacy heritage for future generations. In addition, this is the continuation of previous works such as renovation of conference room at The Palais des Nations which is now called ‘Lithuanian room’.
“We truly appreciate Lithuania’s interest and commitment to preserving our shared history. I hope that their initiative will be emulated by many other Member States in the future!” said Mr. Michael Møller, Acting Director-General of United Nations Office at Geneva
This significant material includes documents relating to Lithuania’s participation as a member state in the activities of the precursor of the United Nations. The archives as well hold materials related to the application of Lithuania to become a member state of the League, ratifications of a variety of conventions and agreements, and a number of unique and irreplaceable maps. Furthermore, the materials related to the disputes between Poland and Lithuania, also the Memel dispute (today Klaipeda).
The League of Nations Archives are inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Its online dissemination truly represents a major step in the development of a global knowledge about the history of international organizations for experts, practitioners and the wider public.
In the first phase of cooperation, already 56 of the most damaged maps were digitalized. Further digitalization is planned to be done by 2014.
The implementation of this project is supported by the Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.
