From 8–12 June 2026, the International Council on Archives (ICA) invites the world to celebrate International Archives Week 2026 under the theme #ArchivesForJustice: Rights, Memory & Futures.
Across continents, archives, universities, national institutions, and communities will come together to explore how archives strengthen rights, support accountability, preserve memory, and help imagine more just futures.
This year’s programme reflects a shared global commitment to justice through archives — from transitional justice and human rights documentation to community memory, decolonisation, digital futures, and AI in archival practice.
Featured IAW 2026 events around the world
Below is a selection of events organised by ICA members, partners, and international collaborators.
Brazil
8 June - 10:00
Online / Arquivo Nacional (Rio de Janeiro)
Cerimônia de Abertura – 10ª Semana Nacional de Arquivos: Arquivos, democracia e justiça social
A major opening event exploring archives, democracy, and social justice.
Botswana
9 June – 07:30
Online
From Custody to the Courtroom: How Archives Enable Trust, Justice and Peace
A discussion on how archival evidence supports justice processes and peacebuilding.
Thailand
9 June – 14:00
Online / Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok)
Reconceptualizing Provenance in the Digital and Multicultural Era: Community Archives, Ethnic Voices, and Artificial Intelligence
Exploring provenance, AI, and community-led archival practices.
United States
10 June – 09:00
Online / Stanford University
Virtual Tribunals at Stanford University: Preserving Access to Justice & the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (#IAW26)
A reflection on archives and international judicial processes.
Geneva and New York
11 June – 15:30
Online
From Mandates to Decolonization: Shared Archives & Colonial Legacies in the League of Nations and the United Nations
A critical discussion on colonial archives and institutional memory.
Catalonia
11 June – 17:30
Online / Arxiu Nacional de Catalunya (Sant Cugat del Vallès)
MEMÒRIA CONNECTADA. CONVERSAS CONNECTADAS
Exploring connected memory and participatory archival practices.
Spain
9–11 June
Euskadiko Artxibo Historikoa (Bilbao)
Programación del Archivo Histórico de Euskadi
A multi-day programme highlighting archives, society, and historical memory.
Australia
12 June – 10:30
Queensland State Archives (Brisbane) / National Archives of Australia
Queensland State Archives & National Archives of Australia: Archives and Justice: Responsibility, Rights and Future Possibilities
A transnational conversation on justice, rights, and archival responsibility.
Cambodia
8–12 June
Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia Resource Centre (Daun Penh)
IAW 2026 at the ECCC Resource Centre
Highlighting archives linked to international justice mechanisms.
Japan
12 June – 13:30
Online / National Archives of Japan (Chiyoda)
International Archives Week Memorial Lecture
A reflection on archives, memory, and global archival practice.
Africa
8–12 June
Online
Sommet Digital des Archivistes Africains 2026 · #ArchivesPourLaJustice
A continental dialogue on digital transformation and justice in African archival practice.
Latin America
8–12 June
Online
Semana Internacional de los Archivos - Latinoamérica ALA
A regional programme celebrating archival collaboration across Latin America.
Ukraine
12 June – 13:30
Online
Protecting Documentary Heritage During Armed Conflict: Threats, Challenges, and the Ukrainian Experience
A discussion on safeguarding archives in times of crisis and war.
France
8–14 June
Online / France
Semaine des archives sur les plateformes Wiki
Exploring collaborative knowledge, archives, and open platforms.
16 June – 14:30
Online / Archives nationales (Paris)
2e table ronde de Conflictualité. Justice en Amérique Latine, enjeux démocratiques de la constitution, de l'accès et de l'utilisation des archives
A post-IAW reflection on justice, democracy, and archival access.
