The International Council on Archives (ICA) is pleased to announce the publication of several major new resources unveiled during ICA Barcelona 2025. These materials, developed by ICA Expert Groups and Working Groups, reflect our shared commitment to strengthening archival practice worldwide, supporting inclusive professional standards, and protecting documentary heritage in all its forms.
A New Edition of the EGATTT Guide to Prevent Thefts and Illegal Trafficking of Documentary Heritage
The ICA Expert Group Against Theft, Trafficking and Tampering (EGATTT) has released the Guide to Prevent Thefts and Illegal Trafficking of Documentary Heritage.
This comprehensive resource provides:
- Practical guidance for archivists, librarians, and law enforcement agencies
- Tools to strengthen collection security and improve description of vulnerable items
- Clear procedures for responding to theft or illegal trafficking
- An overview of international legal frameworks and cooperation mechanisms
- A digital companion with extended material and links to key institutions
The guide addresses growing risks, from conflict situations to climate impacts and online markets, and highlights how preventive policies, accurate registration, and cross-sector collaboration are essential to safeguarding the world’s documentary heritage.
Records in Contexts – Application Guidelines (RiC-AG): A New Companion for RiC Users
The ICA’s Expert Group on Archival Description (EGAD) has published the first version of the Records in Contexts – Application Guidelines (RiC-AG). Developed in response to global interest following the release of RiC-FAD, RiC-CM and RiC-O 1.0, RiC-AG aims to support practitioners and system developers as they begin implementing the RiC conceptual model and ontology.
This initial release:
- Presents user-informed priorities identified through an international survey
- Offers concrete guidance to apply RiC-CM in archival and records management systems
- Introduces examples and structures that will evolve with future versions
- Prepares the ground for further work on integrating RiC with neighbouring standards and enhancing the ontology
RiC-AG marks a significant step forward in supporting the international community as it transitions towards more interconnected, context-rich archival description. A PDF version will be published soon.
SAGDAA-WG Publishes the Declaration on LGBTQI+ and Sex-Affective and Gender Diversity Archives and Archivists
The ICA Working Group on Sex-Affective and Gender Diversity Archives & Archivists (SAGDAA-WG) has published a landmark Declaration on LGBTQI+ and Sex-Affective and Gender Diversity Archives and Archivists. The declaration sets out a clear professional and ethical vision for ensuring that LGBTQI+ histories, identities, and communities are recognised, preserved, and visible across archival systems worldwide.
It calls for:
- Accurate, respectful representation in archival description and vocabularies
- Active preservation of records created by LGBTQI+ people
- Stronger collaboration between institutional and community-run archives
- The development of shared tools, methodologies, and platforms to document LGBTQI+ experiences
- Archival environments that are safe, ethical, and welcoming for LGBTQI+ users, donors, and professionals
The declaration was formally presented during the ICA Barcelona 2025 session “Archives, Guardians of Identities” on 30 October. At the close of the session, participants publicly read and signed the text, a powerful expression of solidarity and support for its principles.
Looking Ahead
The ICA invites archival institutions, professionals, and communities around the world to engage with these new resources and integrate them into practice. Together, they represent important advances in archival security, descriptive standards, and inclusive representation, strengthening the profession’s ability to preserve diverse documentary heritage and uphold human rights.
