The International Council on Archives (ICA) Congress 2025, held in Barcelona, was a vibrant platform for professionals in the archival field to engage in discussions, share knowledge, and collaborate on global challenges. The Photographic and Audiovisual Archives Group (PAAG) played a key role throughout the event, demonstrating its commitment to the preservation, access, and creative reuse of audiovisual heritage. Through a series of impactful sessions and activities, PAAG furthered its mission of fostering international cooperation and advancing best practices for safeguarding audiovisual memory.
PAAG’s Contribution to World Audiovisual Heritage Day in Paris
Before the Congress in Barcelona, PAAG’s activities began on 23 October 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Natālija Lāce, the Chair of PAAG and Archive Expert at the National Archives of Latvia, participated in the UNESCO–CCAAA film screening to celebrate the 20th anniversary of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. Under the theme “Your Window to the World,” the event highlighted newly digitized films from UNESCO Archives and CCAAA member organizations worldwide. N. Lāce presented the Latvian documentary “Ten Minutes Older” (1978), directed by Herz Frank, renowned for its humanistic depth. This screening underscored the importance of collaboration between UNESCO, CCAAA, and ICA PAAG to promote sustainable preservation and knowledge exchange.
Engagement at the ICA Congress in Barcelona
The official involvement of PAAG at the ICA Congress in Barcelona began on 26 October. Juan Alonso Fernández, the Vice Chair of PAAG, represented the group at the PCOM Expert Groups Chairs Meeting. There, he presented the annual PAAG report and contributed to discussions on ICA’s strategic priorities for the coming year.
The following day, 27 October, PAAG held an open group meeting, attended by Natālija Lāce, Juan Alonso Fernández, David Iglésias, Manuel Melgar, and Yayoi Tsutsui. The meeting agenda covered a wide range of topics, including updates from the CCAAA and PCOM, progress on new “Description Rules for Photographic and Audiovisual Archives”, and ongoing projects such as the upcoming webinars, the short guide on “Digitisation of Magnetic Media” and the revision of the PAAG website. The group also discussed strategies to encourage more active participation within the archival community.
Workshops and Sessions Promoting Best Practices
Later that day, David Iglésias conducted a well-received workshop on the new photographic description rules, alongside John Balean, providing participants with hands-on guidance on implementing these new standards. N. Lāce also took part in the joint ICA–UNESCO session titled “Safeguarding Memory and Documentary Heritage,” where she delivered a compelling presentation on “Digital Preservation and Heritage at Risk,” reflecting on the efforts to strengthen international cooperation in safeguarding audiovisual memory globally.
On 30 October, PAAG organized its own panel, “A Perspective on the Reuse of Photographic andAudiovisual Archives for New Generations,” where members presented original case studies showcasing innovative approaches to the reuse of audiovisual heritage. The panel featured the following contributions:
– Natālija Lāce: “Audiovisual Archives – Unlocking History in a World of Misinformation” – Discussing the role of audiovisual archives in promoting media literacy and critical analysis of historical images and propaganda.
– Juan Alonso Fernández: “Developing a Risk Calculator for Copyright and Image Rights in Historical Image Collections” – Introducing a tool to assess copyright risks and support safer image reuse in archival practices.
– Yayoi Tsutsui: “Introduction of Visual Archive of Hiroshima Atomic Bombing” – Presenting the Hiroshima collection, nominated for UNESCO’s Memory of the World register.
– Manuel Melgar: “Audiovisual Documents in the State Archives. Challenges for the Coming Years” – Addressing the preservation of fragile audiovisual media within Spain’s archival system.
Independent Contributions by PAAG Members
In addition to the panel, several PAAG members presented individual papers and posters throughout the Congress:
– David Iglésias (with Lluís-Esteve Casellas): “The Role of Archives in the 3D Transformation of Heritage” – Exploring the potential of 3D digitisation technologies in enhancing heritage preservation.
– Manuel Melgar (with Szatucsek Zoltán): “Data Visualisation of Members of the International Brigades” – Presenting innovative data visualisation methods related to the Spanish Civil War.
– Yayoi Tsutsui: “Foundation of Democracy, Learning from Ancient Greece III” – Highlighting the educational applications of archival visual materials.
A Unified Effort for Global Preservation
The PAAG’s active participation in both the UNESCO event in Paris and the ICA Congress in Barcelona reaffirmed the group’s commitment to advancing the preservation, access, and creative reuse of audiovisual and photographic heritage. Through a combination of strategic discussions, practical workshops, and inspiring panels, PAAG showcased the vital role of archival professionals in safeguarding the audiovisual heritage of the world for future generations. The group’s collective efforts are essential in promoting global cooperation, facilitating access, and ensuring the sustainability of audiovisual collections in the digital age.