Expert Group on Advocacy - AEG
English – Universal Declaration on Archives (UDA)
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The Declaration marks a significant step in enhancing understanding and awareness of archives among the public and key decision-makers. It serves as a powerful, concise statement on the relevance of archives in modern society.
The Declaration
- Defines archives as all recorded decisions, actions, and memories in various formats, including paper, digital, and audiovisual media.
- Recognizes the uniqueness of archives as authentic evidence of human actions.
- Emphasizes the crucial role of archives in ensuring administrative transparency and democratic accountability.
- Supports democracy and human rights while preserving collective social memory.
- Explains the role of archivists as skilled professionals responsible for the care and accessibility of archives.
- Highlights the key requirements for effective archival management.
Ways to explore the UDA
Text of the UDA
The UDA has been translated into many languages and is available below in print and web versions for download and promotional use.
Sign the UDA Register
Show your support for the Universal Declaration on Archives by signing the UDA online register.
Translate the UDA
If you would like to translate the UDA into a language not yet available, please contact uda@ica.org.
Online Course: Understanding and Using the UDA
Discover the story behind the Universal Declaration on Archives, its principles, and how it can be used for advocacy and evaluation in archives and records management. This is a free course for the ICA members, and it is designed for both professionals and those new to the field. Click here to access the course.
Evaluation Tool
Based on the Universal Declaration on Archives, this tool allows you to assess your organization’s recordkeeping practices and how well they align with the twenty-one principles outlined in the Declaration. Click here to learn more about the tool.
For more information
For more resources related to the use and implementation of the UDA, we invite you to visit the Online Resource Centre and browse the resources under the “UDA” type.
For more details on ICA’s advocacy activities, please visit the pages dedicated to the Expert Group on Advocacy (AEG).