Wikipedia seeks UNESCO recognition as world treasure

In its 10 years of existence, Wikipedia, the global online encyclopedia, has amassed an archive of 18 million entries in 279 languages. It is one of the 10 most popular websites on the Internet.

But is it an endangered world cultural treasure worthy of protection, like French cuisine, the Argentine tango or the Grand Canyon?

That is the long-shot bet being made by Wikipedia, which plans to begin a global petition drive Tuesday to earn a spot on one of the world heritage lists of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The effort, the first by a digital entity for a place on a UNESCO list, will no doubt be controversial among heritage professionals advising UNESCO, who tend to view online innovation as lacking the effect or maturity for listing.

“Heritage professionals tend to be rather conservative types, or they wouldn’t choose this kind of occupation,” said Britta Rudolff, a heritage consultant who teaches the subject at the Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus, Germany. “They like to play with the past, and something only a decade old is going to face challenges.”

The idea of landing Wikipedia on a UNESCO world heritage list came out of Germany, where volunteers have produced 1.2 million entries, second only to the number in English. Wikipedia’s German overseer, a Berlin non-profit called Wikimedia, proposed the idea in March to Wikipedia chapters at a global conference in the German capital.

The reception was enthusiastic, said Jimmy Wales, a Wikipedia founder. “The basic idea is to recognize that Wikipedia is this amazing global cultural phenomena that has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people,” Wales said. He said the online encyclopedia, driven by volunteer contributions, had helped educate people around the world, providing a wealth of basic facts, background information and important context.

Wikipedia is hoping to earn a place on UNESCO’s most prestigious list, the World Heritage List, which so far includes only historic monuments and natural sites like the Great Wall of China and the Great Barrier Reef. Failing that, Wikipedia could aim for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, a lesser-known directory that includes endangered traditions, like flamenco.

Susan Williams, the head of external media relations at UNESCO in Paris, said a bid by a digital entity like Wikipedia would be unprecedented.

“Anyone can apply,” said Williams, “But it may have difficulty fulfilling the criteria.”