ICA Live Q&A Session (2): How does ICA funding support the archival sector?

On Thursday, 4 September, from 16:00 to 17:00 CET (Paris time), the International Council on Archives (ICA) will host a joint session highlighting projects supported by FIDA (Fund for the International Development of Archives) and PCOM (Programme Commission). This session has been organised in connection with the 2026 Call for Projects, offering ICA members a chance to learn more about the kinds of initiatives that can be supported through these programmes. 

The session will showcase initiatives from Ramallah, Palestine, Lebanon, and Africa, as well as new work exploring the role of AI in archival practice, and reflections on how ICA funding strengthens the archival sector worldwide. The programme will also include a round table discussion, and a Q&A with project leaders and ICA managers. 

More information on each project and speaker can be found in the sections below. 

Project Highlights 

FIDA Projects 

Preservations of Ramallah’s Documentary Heritage 

The archive team in Ramallah completed a 16-session first aid training course in restoration and preservation of historical documents. With ICA support, the team gained practical skills in: 

• Document assessment 

• Restoration techniques 

• Archival tool usage 

• Damage prevention 

These skills enabled professional restoration of fragile historical documents. 

Project Lead 

• Hama Freij – Head of Ramallah Archive (from the beginning of July) – a former Head of Children and Youth Division at the Cultural Department at the same municipality. Graduated from Birzeit University in Palestine and had a master’s degree in educational administration and a diploma in education. 

Ramallah Mayor celebrating participants’ graduation at the end of the course.

Credits: Ramallah Municipality – بلدية رام الله

Fighting Erasure, Safeguarding Archives, Building Resilience in Palestine, Lebanon & the Global South 

This project addresses the urgent need to protect archives in areas of conflict and colonial violence, with a focus on Palestine, Lebanon, and the broader Global South. It is a collaboration between the University of Amsterdam, Arab American University – Ramallah, American University of Beirut, and NYU Abu Dhabi, along with local and global partners. 

The project provides: 

• Training and capacity building 

• Networking and advocacy 

• Emergency preparedness and recovery support 

Project Lead 

• Dr. Jamila J. Ghaddar – Dr. Jamila J. Ghaddar is a South Lebanese feminist, archivist, historian, and educator who lives between Lebanon and the Netherlands. Ghaddar is Assistant Professor in Archival Information & Digital Humanities at the University of Amsterdam. She is the founding director of the Archives & Digital Media Lab, and a Research Affiliate at the American University of Beirut’s School of Architecture & Design. She co-hosts the Archives & Heritage for Palestine series and co-leads the project, Fighting Erasure: Digitizing Gaza’s Genocide and the War on Lebanon, with Dr. Hanine Shehadeh and Dr. Rami Zurayk.   

More about the project

PCOM Projects 

African Portal for Administrative Document Retention Periods (PADC) 

An initiative led by Archivistes Leaders International, supported by ICA’s PCOM 2024 programme. This digital platform centralises and harmonises document management practices across Africa, promoting: 

• Good governance 

• Transparency 

• Preservation of administrative heritage 

Explore the portal

Project Lead 

• Estelle Obè – Estelle Obè is a leading figure in the field of archiving and documentation in Gabon. She has played a pivotal role in strengthening archival practices at both the national and regional levels, combining professional expertise with a strong commitment to innovation and preservation. Over the course of her career, she has served as President of the Association des Documentalistes du Gabon (ADG), member of the National Committee of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, Treasurer of CENARBICA—the regional branch of the International Council on Archives—and as Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Gabon. Recognised for her expertise and dedication, Estelle Obè has been at the forefront of digitisation initiatives and the modernisation of Gabonese archives. Today, she continues to champion the profession as President of the NGO Archivistes Leaders International, carrying forward her vision for innovation, accessibility, and leadership in the archival sector.

AI and Archival Practice – Online Tutorials 

Conducted under PCOM with the support of the National Library and Archives of the UAE, this project produced eight freely available online videos introducing state-of-the-art AI technologies and their application to archival practice. 

Topics include: 

• AI and Appraisal & Selection 

• AI and Digital Preservation 

• AI for Research and Public Access 

• AI and Archival Description 

• AI and Photographic Archives 

• AI, Ethics and Human Rights 

• Using AI to Promote Archives 

• Maintaining Professional Knowledge of AI 

Access the video tutorials

Project Lead 

• David Fricker – David Ficker has had a distinguished international career with over 40 years in archives and government information management.  He is a former Director-General of the National Archives of Australia and a former President of the International Council on Archives, and is currently working as Special Adviser to the National Library and Archives of the UAE.  He is an active advocate for the preservation and accessibility of archives worldwide and has served as a Vice-Chair of the UNESCO Memory of the World International Advisory Committee and as a Global Ambassador for the Records and Information Practioners Alliance.  In 2023 he was conferred the award of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the Republic of France. In October 2023 David was awarded the honor of Fellow of the ICA. 

About the Calls 

Join us to discover these inspiring projects, connect with archival leaders, and see how ICA funding is shaping the future of archives worldwide.