Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Information in seven languages

Svalbard Global Seed Vault: The Seed Vault’s website is now available in six languages in addition to Norwegian: Arabic, English, French, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is now taking the communication steps required of a facility with a world-wide mission. The general presentation of the vault, FAQ (frequently asked questions) and contact information are now available in seven languages. In addition, all text on the website has been translated into English. “We hope this step will increase our degree of service and accessibility for our target groups,” says Ole G. Hertzenberg, director of communications for the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault 22.08.2007. Photo: Ole G. Hertzenberg

4.5 million seeds
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is being constructed as a cave excavated in the permafrost just outside of Longyearbyen. The SGS is intended to ensure genetic variety for the world's food plants by storing duplicates of seed collections from gene banks all over the world, and will have a storage capacity of more than four million different seeds. If seed samples are lost somewhere in the world due to natural disasters, wars or resource shortages, they may be re-established with seeds from Svalbard.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault will open on 26 February 2008.

For more details, contact:
Communications Manager Ole G. Hertzenberg 
Tel. +47 90 10 04 42 
E-mail:  ole.g.hertzenberg@faktotum.no 
More details at www.frohvelv.no