UNESCO, Japan's space firm plan to protect world's languages by placing disc on moon
UNESCO in collaboration with Japanese space firm, ispace Inc. and US innovation platform Barrelhand is set to deposit a disc with a message in 275 languages on the moon this year to preserve the world's heritage of languages.
According to UNESCO, it is crucial to preserve the languages that unite the world despite its cultural diversity.
UNESCO is also taking steps to preserve the world's languages out of concern that they could be entirely lost due to natural disasters, climate change, or other man-made crises such as global conflict.
"Language serves as the connective tissue of humanity, facilitating interaction, collaboration and shaping our perceptions of the world. Its preservation in all its diversity is essential to safeguarding human identity," UNESCO's press release in May stated.
UNESCO announced that a nano-engraved, nickel-plated memory disc will be sent to the moon in late 2024 aboard an ispace spacecraft. This disc will contain 275 versions of the 362-word preamble to UNESCO’s constitution, which advocates for the “wide diffusion of cultures” and “the education of humanity for justice, liberty, and peace.”
"In a joint initiative with Barrelhand, UNESCO has co-created a "Memory Disc", a nano-engraved nickel plate that will be sent to the Moon on board ispace's HAKUTO-R Mission 2 RESILIENCE lunar lander to be launched in Winter 2024. The disc bears the UNESCO Constitution's Preamble "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed" translated into 275 languages. This symbolic gesture underscores global unity and the imperative of preserving linguistic diversity and culture," it added.
The disc will also feature a selection of cultural treasures, UNESCO stated, including "Le Petit Prince" by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Additionally, it will hold images of 100 paintings from various cultural backgrounds and historical periods.
"The Memory Disc also serves as a repository of cultural heritage, featuring an array of treasures including “Le Petit Prince” by the renowned French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - one of the world's most translated books. Furthermore, it houses a curated collection of 100 paintings, representing artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and historical epochs," adds UNESCO.
