Wednesday, December 10, 2008

How often should things be commemorated?

December 10, 2008 was the 60th anniversary of the UN's International Declaration of Human Rights. I had been hoping to write a blog about the digital commemoration of the event, however little to no media coverage or online commemoration of the anniversary was to be found. This struck me as particularly odd considering in honour of the 60th anniversary the UNESCO designated this past year as a year of commemoration.

The lack of available media brings me to the question, how often should things be commemorated? And who gets to decide how much effort will be put into a commemoration? Private organizations often pick major milestones such as 50, 75, or 100 years to commemorate their history. However who is in charge of celebrating ideas and abstract concepts. Something like the International Declaration of Human Rights has had an impact on numerous countries and people, so should each country have their own commemoration schedule? Should the UN be in charge of organizing uniform commemoration events?

1 comment:

Zach said...

Although there is no profound answer to your question, I have a suggestion.

My suggestion is to create lasting digital commemoration devices. The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, although sunseting shortly, will be continuing their commemoration by maintaining their website through the use of a Foundation. This Foundation will become responsible for being the main source of everything Lincoln. By using this technique the ALBC is ensuring that its efforts are not in vain and that they continue even after the bicentennial.