The International Council on Archives (ICA) has today released the results of its Strategic Plan Survey, conducted from July to September 2024. The survey aimed to inform the development of ICA’s next strategic plan and ensure the organization’s direction reflects the most pressing needs and priorities of its global membership.
The survey received 501 responses, offering valuable insights into how ICA can better serve its members and enhance its role within the archival community. The results highlight the key areas where ICA members believe the organization should focus its efforts on the coming years.
Key Findings from the Survey:
- Focus on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Preservation: When asked about the areas ICA should prioritize, 72% of respondents highlighted artificial intelligence and related technologies, followed closely by 70% emphasizing the importance of digital preservation.
- Most Valuable Resources: ICA’s conferences, standards, webinars, and online training programs were identified as the most valuable resources for members, guiding the future development of ICA’s services.
- Desire for Greater Inclusivity and Regional Focus: Many respondents stressed the need for ICA to become more Influential, networked, and active to archivists from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from the Global South and underrepresented regions.
- Challenges to Participation: The survey revealed that the cost of travel and inconvenient times for virtual events are the primary barriers to participation in ICA activities. These insights will help ICA explore new strategies to address these challenges.
The survey also included an open-ended question where respondents provided additional comments and suggestions. Common themes included advocacy for the importance of archives, strengthening professional development programs, and prioritizing digital transformation.
The full report is available as a PDF. Simply click the button below to access it.
Next Steps:
The ICA is now moving forward with the next phase of the strategic planning process, which will involve additional focus groups or written consultations with specific member groups. These insights will be used to refine the direction of the new strategic plan, which will be shared with the membership for review and feedback in 2025.
ICA is committed to developing a strategic plan that is both responsive to member needs and reflective of the challenges and opportunities facing the archival profession today.
To stay updated on all phases of the planning process, we invite you to visit our dedicated page, where we will continuously add new information as we move forward with this important initiative.
