Rules of the National Committee
Name
Finland’s national Memory of the World committee (hereinafter referred to as “the National Committee”) acts in compliance with the practices and goals set in the general rules of procedure of UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme.
Tasks
The National Committee is responsible for the overall implementation of the Memory of the World programme and its monitoring in Finland. Its tasks include:
- compiling and maintaining Finland’s national Memory of the World register,
- coordinating and evaluating the proposals made by Finland for the international Memory of the World register,
- engaging in close cooperation with public and private organisations to develop the national register and improve the visibility of the national and international registers,
- supporting fundraising for Memory of the World projects, and
- engaging in close cooperation with Finland’s UNESCO committee.
Membership
Organisations that foster the documented and literary cultural heritage can become members of the National Committee. The representation of member organisations in the National Committee is permanent. In addition to organisational representatives, the National Committee can invite specialists as fixed-term members. The National Committee’s number of members is not limited. Its members must represent various regions of Finland and organisations responsible for the documented and literary cultural heritage.
Organisations applying for a membership with the National Committee can express their interest in participating in the National Committee’s activities to the chairperson of the National Committee. The member organisations appoint their own representatives to the National Committee. The National Committee decides on the acceptance of new members as proposed by the chairperson. New members must be supported by the majority of the National Committee’s members. If the votes are tied, the chairperson’s vote will be decisive. The elected representatives must have in-depth expertise in their respective fields.
The member organisations will be responsible for their own expenses.
Operating principles
Chairperson and vice-chairperson
The National Committee will elect its chairperson and vice chairperson for three years at a time.
Secretaries of the National Committee
[Secretaries of the Memory of the World programme’s National Committee are placed in the National Archives of Finland.]
Legal liability
The committee is not a legal person, and it cannot sign agreements, enter into commercial commitments or make purchases.
National Memory of the World register
The National Committee maintains a register that presents the items approved for the national Memory of the World register and improves the visibility of Finland’s documented cultural heritage and the activities of the National Committee. The register is available online at www.maailmanmuisti.fi.
Meetings
Every year, at least two meetings will be held as summoned by the chair, or the vice chair if the chair is unavailable.
Quorum
Meetings constitute a quorum when at least half of all members are present. Decisions are made on the basis of majority votes.
Minutes
Meeting minutes will be recorded and delivered to members of the committee, member organisations and Finland’s UNESCO committee.
Reporting
The committee will prepare an annual report on its activities by the end of February following each operating year and deliver it to members of the committee, member organisations and Finland’s UNESCO committee.
Working groups
The committee can appoint preparatory working groups, if required.
Consulting specialists
The committee can consult external specialists.
Confirmed in Helsinki on 27 January 2022.