Name of the Candidate: Irina Schmid

Title: Ms

Organisation: The American University in Cairo

Country or territory: Egypt (EG)

Region represented: Africa and the Arab Countries

Candidate Statement:   

“I am equipped to assist the ICA Programme Commission through my strategic viewpoint, collaborative abilities, and specialized knowledge gained from the International Council on Archives (ICA) and the Digital Preservation Coalition. I played a significant role in digital preservation and curation in my capacity as an Instructor and Digital Collections Archivist. The ongoing development of standards and capacity-building initiatives enables me to contribute to the advancement of PCOM’s global ICA program. My aim for PCOM is to cultivate a global perspective informed by hands-on experience in addressing digital archival challenges within various institutional and national contexts. My experience in International Project Leadership and Technical Adaptation enables me to effectively apply theoretical frameworks. My capacity to connect with various communities and advocate for underrepresented voices would greatly enhance PCOM. I collaborate with the American University in Beirut and the British Library’s Endangered Archives Program to provide training for national museums. These experiences have enabled me to develop inclusive programs on both national and international levels.”

Answer to the “How can you make the voice of ICA regions underrepresented in PCOM heard?” question  

“To amplify underrepresented ICA regions, I propose a three-pillar approach: 1. Structural Reforms — Implement rotating regional seats on PCOM and establish commissioner-branch liaisons to institutionalize diverse representation. 2. Active Engagement — Conduct pre-decision regional consultations through listening tours and multilingual channels while creating adaptable programs that respect local contexts through modular training and funded participation. 3. Accountability Framework — Introduce impact assessments, published diversity metrics, and transparent grievance pathways to ensure sustained inclusion. By systemically addressing participation barriers, we can better integrate regional knowledge while building stronger buy-in for ICA initiatives worldwide.”

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