The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has awarded National Archives of Australia (NAA) the 2011Jikji Memory of the World Prize for its work in the preservation of digital and physical records.

The Australian Archives was recognised for developing world-class expertise in facing one of the key challenges of the digital era: how to adapt the record-creating processes of government agencies to the needs of record-keeping to ensure the lasting access to documents that testify to the work of public bodies.

The NAA has also demonstrated innovation in its collaborative work on the preservation of documents written in iron gall ink (an ink that includes iron salts and which has been in use in Europe for many centuries).

The US$ 30,000 Prize, wholly funded by the Republic of Korea, is awarded every two years to individuals or institutions that have made significant contributions to the preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage.

The NAA has announced it will use the Prize to fund a paid work experience placement for a student of conservation, as an investment in the future of documentary heritage preservation.

Dr Stephen Ellis, Acting Director-General said it was an honour to have the Archives’ work in this field recognised internationally.

"The challenge of preserving records for the future is something we share with our counterparts all over the world. This prize recognises our ability to be innovative, our willingness to share the results of our research and our professional leadership," said Dr Ellis.

The prize also recognises the Archives for its worldwide investigation of the conservation issues of documents written in iron gall ink, which are vulnerable to iron gall corrosion. Iron gall ink was used in Europe for many centuries.

"Many cultural institutions around the world hold collections of historical artworks, illuminated manuscripts, maps, musical scores, official documents and books that are endangered because they are written in iron gall ink. The Archives’ research will assist in the development of successful conservation treatments to ensure these documents survive for future generations," Dr Ellis said.