Windhoek Declaration should become ‘living legacy’ – Unesco ambassador Namibia’s 1991 Windhoek Declaration was officially inscribed into UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register on 7 May, cementing its leadership role in promoting freedom of the press. Namibian Ambassador and permanent United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) delegate Albertus Aochamub said it is now time to embed this legacy at home. He said that through initiatives further entrenching the principles of the Windhoek Declaration, it can be given a “living status” in Namibia. “As Namibia celebrates this global milestone, attention now shifts to domesticating the Windhoek Declaration’s principles and embedding them within the country’s governance and democratic architecture,” Aochamub said. The initiatives he suggested include updating national media and communication policies to better align with the declaration, as well as integrating it into education and training programmes, creating a multi-stakeholder Media Freedom Steering Committee, developing a digital heritage platform to preserve Namibia’s documentary contributions to global press freedom and building on this recognition to host regional and Africa-wide dialogues on the topic. He further called for the establishment of annual lectures on the Windhoek Declaration, as well as exhibits stimulating public reflection on media freedom, civil participation and democracy. The 1991 Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent, and Pluralistic Press has played a lasting role in promoting press freedom worldwide. “We are honoured that the global community continues to recognise the importance of the Windhoek Declaration,” said Aochamub. “This milestone not only reaffirms our enduring commitment to media freedom but also celebrates Namibia’s role in shaping international norms that protect and promote a free press.” The post Windhoek Declaration should become ‘living legacy’ – Unesco ambassador appeared first on The Namibian.

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Press freedom declaration etched intoworld memory THE 1991 Windhoek declaration on press freedom was yesterday added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Memory of the World Register for its global historical and democratic significance. This recognition affirms the declaration’s contribution to the discourse around media policy globally, and will preserve the principles it enshrines for future generations. Gwen Lister, the chairperson of the Namibia Media Trust (NMT) Media Foundation and of the 1991 conference that led to the declaration’s adoption, reflected on its impact in her remarks at the official inscription ceremony in Brussels. “Even in the face of reluctance by some governments on the continent, then and now, the declaration’s demand for a free, independent and pluralistic press was widely embraced as the public appetite for democracy on the continent grew, and as stifling restrictions on the people’s right to know began to lift.” The Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press is a statement made by African journalists in 1991, proclaiming principles of press freedom. This declaration was the first of its kind, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to freedom of the press. It went on to spark several similar declarations in other parts of the world, such as Alma -Ata (1992) for Asian media, Santiago (1994) for Latin American and Caribbean media, Sana’a (1996) for Arab media, and Sofia (1997) for central and eastern European media, and has shaped the media landscape ever since. “The inscription honours the visionary work of African journalists and recognises the efforts of media organisations, civil society, and governments who have worked to safeguard the role of the press in democratic societies. “It highlights the essential role of a free press in promoting accountability and human rights,” Zoé Titus, the executive director of the NMT Media Foundation, explained. She said the inscription reaffirms the importance of the declaration’s principles today. “The NMT Media Foundation is proud to have supported efforts to secure global recognition for the Windhoek declaration. We remain committed to its core principles of independence, pluralism, and diversity in media, and we will continue working to ensure these ideals shape media governance both in Africa and globally,” she said. The Unesco Memory of the World Register seeks to preserve and raise public awareness of the world’s documentary heritage. It is striving for universal access to documents that have shaped human history. The post Press freedom declaration etched intoworld memory appeared first on The Namibian.

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Windhoek Declaration added to UNESCO memory of the world register Windhoek Declaration added to UNESCO memory of the world register NBC Online Thu, 05/08/2025 - 17:07

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Historic Windhoek Declaration added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register Historic Windhoek Declaration added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register NBC Online Thu, 05/08/2025 - 09:13

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Windhoek Declaration Inscribed Into Unesco Memory of the World Register [Namibian] The 1991 Windhoek Declaration, a historic document advocating for the freedom of the press, was on Wednesday inscribed into the Unesco Memory of the World Register.

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Windhoek Declaration inscribed into Unesco Memory of the World Register The 1991 Windhoek Declaration, a historic document advocating for the freedom of the press, was on Wednesday inscribed into the Unesco Memory of the World Register. This recognition affirms the Declaration’s contribution to the discourse around media policy globally, and will preserve the principles it enshrines for future generations. Gwen Lister, chairperson of the NMT Media Foundation and of the 1991 conference that led to the Declaration’s adoption, reflected on its impact in her remarks at the official inscription ceremony in Brussels, Belgium. “Even in the face of reluctance by some governments on the continent, then and now, the Declaration’s demand for free, independent and pluralistic press was widely embraced as the public appetite for democracy on the continent grew and as stifling restrictions on the peoples’ right to know began to lift.” The Windhoek Declaration is a statement made by African journalists in 1991, proclaiming principles of press freedom. This Declaration was the first of its kind, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to freedom of the press. It went on to spark several similar declarations in other parts of the world and has shaped the media landscape ever since. “The inscription honours the visionary work of African journalists and recognises the efforts of media organisations, civil society, and governments who have worked to safeguard the role of the press in democratic societies. It highlights the essential role of a free press in promoting accountability and human rights,” Zoé Titus, the executive director of the NMT Media Foundation, explained. The post Windhoek Declaration inscribed into Unesco Memory of the World Register appeared first on The Namibian.

#WindhoekDeclaration #FreedomOfPress #MediaFreedom #Unesco #MemoryOfTheWorld

UNESCO's inscribes 1991 Windhoek declaration UNESCO's inscribes 1991 Windhoek declaration NBC Online Tue, 05/06/2025 - 17:44

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In Windhoek, Namibië keert de @UNESCO, met @unescoNOW na 30 jaar terug naar een bijzondere plek voor persvrijheid & persveiligheid; voor Afrika en voor de gehele wereld. Duik via deze longread in de geschiedenis van de #WindhoekDeclaration

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en.unesco.org/news/30th-anni…