As we begin the last quarter of the year, we want to provide you with a brief summary of the events and deadlines planned for the final quarter of 2024. Below is a list of key dates that our ICA members should mark in their calendars.
October
14:00 CET
Do you have an idea for a project that could serve the archival community? Are you interested in organizing an event, publication, or other initiative that could benefit the ICA network? If so, we invite you to join us for a Live Q&A Webinar to learn more about the ICA Programme Commission (PCOM) Call for Projects 2025. During this session, Meg Phillips will provide an overview of the current Call for Projects, highlighting the objectives of the Programme Commission, key assessment criteria, and the timeline for project submissions. The session will also include a review of past successful projects to give you an idea of what kinds of initiatives have received support in previous years.
16:00 CET
Lingua Franca is a bilingual eBook launched in 2017 by Library and Archives Canada to assist photography conservation professionals and enthusiasts. The eBook features English and French definitions of photographic processes, treatment options, and preventive care, enriched with interactive multimedia tools. Now in its third edition, it has expanded to include Spanish translations, with a Portuguese version underway. Join Tania Passafiume and Tom Thompson as they explore the evolution and impact of this essential resource for photographic conservation. Don’t miss out on discovering how this tool is shaping the future of conservation!
17:30 – 18:30 CET
This webinar delves into the intricacies of 3D digitisation and the preservation of audiovisual heritage, focusing on the Cinema Museum of Girona’s pre-cinema collection. Learn about the high-quality digital reproduction of complex objects, the need for skilled professionals, and methodologies for preserving and making 3D materials accessible online. David Iglésias Franch, Chair of ICA’s Photographic and Audiovisual Expert Group, will lead the discussion. Be part of this exciting exploration into 3D digitisation!
The ICA General Assembly is a key gathering for ICA members to discuss and review the organization’s strategies and future direction. It’s a vital event to stay updated on ICA’s progress and influence decisions that affect the global archival profession. If you missed the opportunity to register and are a member in good standing interested in reviewing the agenda and reference documents for this meeting, click here and log in to your ICA profile to access these files.
On 25 October 2024, the International Council on Archives (ICA) commemorates the anniversary of the Tandanya Declaration, a significant milestone in preserving Indigenous cultural heritage through archival practices.
As part of this anniversary and the Opening the Archives conference, jointly organised by the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA), the Archives & Records Association of NZ Te Huinga Mahara (ARANZ) and the Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (PARBICA), the Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration 2024 Symposium will be held on 25 October at the Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch, Aotearoa, on the lands of Ngāi Tahu. The event will focus on reflecting on and discussing the implementation of the Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration, a key document launched by the International Council on Archives and the National Archives of Australia in 2019.
23:59 CET
Contribute to shaping the future of ICA’s professional programme! The 2024 PCOM elections are now open for nominations, providing a unique opportunity for archivists worldwide to influence key activities within the ICA. Positions include two Member-at-Large (4-year term) and one Early Career Representative (2-year term).
PCOM seeks to have representatives from all the ICA regions. Your nomination will ask about your ability to make the voice of ICA regions underrepresented in PCOM heard. We would like to highlight that the underrepresented regions in the current Programme Commission are Africa and the Arab Region.
14:00 – 15:30 CET
Join us for a webinar on 28 October 2024, exploring how small audiovisual archives are utilizing AI. The session will feature Natālija Lāce from the Latvian State Archive of Audiovisual Documents, who will share insights into implementing AI solutions like image search and facial recognition. Discover the opportunities and challenges of AI in audiovisual archiving.
The Memory of the World (MoW) Programme will organize an international conference focused on utilizing documentary heritage as a knowledge asset for international understanding and cooperation. This two-day event will serve as a platform for exchanging tools, resources, and ideas on effectively using documentary heritage for social dialogue and engagement during crises. Scheduled for 28-29 October 2024, the second day of the conference will be dedicated to the 4th Global Policy Forum, coinciding with the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, celebrated annually on 27 October.
November
15:00 – 16:00 CET
This session will explore the vital role that faith-based archives play in preserving the rich heritage of religious and spiritual traditions. The discussion will provide insights into how ICA's Section for Archives of Faith Traditions can be revitalized to enhance its relevance and impact in the global archival community. Attendees will hear about key initiatives, future directions, and the opportunities for greater collaboration and engagement across faith communities.
ICA's Programme Commission (PCOM) invites members to submit project proposals for 2025. This call aims to support initiatives that further ICA's mission of promoting the value and role of archives globally. Whether through research, outreach, or events, these projects will contribute to advancing the archival field. Don’t miss the chance to bring your ideas to life and collaborate with peers across the ICA network.
This date celebrates the significance of the Universal Declaration on Archives, which enshrines the importance of preserving documentary heritage to safeguard cultural memory and history. It highlights the pivotal role of archives in promoting transparency, accountability, and the right to information. This anniversary serves as a moment to reflect on the progress made in archival practices and the global impact of this foundational declaration. Stay tuned as we will soon share updates and developments related to this important document.
In mid-November, ICA members and documentary heritage professionals will come together for a regional training focused on addressing the growing threats to documentary cultural heritage in South and East Africa due to conflicts and disasters. This course is designed to build capacity among heritage professionals in high-risk areas and will provide a platform for collective reflection, hands-on exercises, and constructive dialogue.
The course is organized by National Library of South Africa as the IFLA Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centre, the British Library’s Endangered Archives Programme (EAP) and the National University of Lesotho which acts as the EAP Hub for Africa, in collaboration with Cultural Emergency Response (CER), the International Council on Archives (ICA) and with the generous support of the Whiting Foundation.
Stay tuned as we will be sharing more insights about this training in the coming weeks!
The ICA’s Section on Literary and Artistic Archives (SLA) will host a three-day virtual symposium that brings together global experts to explore the vital role of cultural archives in preserving the arts. With presentations in English, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, this event will address key topics such as decolonizing archives, the preservation of endangered collections, and the role of archives in documenting conflict and gender. The symposium will offer in-depth discussions, case studies, and valuable insights into the intersection of culture and archival practice.
This conference will take place in Girona and offers an insightful exploration into the management of photographic and audiovisual heritage. With four thematic blocks, the conference will tackle key industry questions such as technology use, audience engagement, business strategies, and the state of conservation and historical research. It will feature keynote speakers, presentations, and discussions, including a roundtable on business strategies.
In November, the ICA's Section on Sport Archives (SPO) will resume #SPOontheSpot: Debates on Archives and Sport, a series of online debates on archives and sport. Each session will involve the participation of ICA/SPO members and the chairs or members of ICA Sections, Expert Groups, Forums or Regional Branches. The aim is to learn how different organisations and professionals around the world are working to preserve, safeguard and disseminate sports archives worldwide.
The next two sessions will be held in collaboration with the International Research Network on the History of Women and Sport and ICA/ALA.
ICA is offering a unique internship opportunity for students interested in project management and communication tasks within the archival field. The internship will focus on supporting the implementation of regional programmes, digitization projects, and the communication strategy for International Archives Week 2025. Master’s students in humanities, social sciences, or archival studies are encouraged to apply.
December
Over the next few weeks, the ICA’s Section on Archives and Human Rights (ICA/SAHR) will be sharing more details about the final session of the SAHR Tuesday Talks of 2024. If you would like to watch previous sessions or learn more about this initiative, we invite you to check out the SAHR Tuesday Talks YouTube playlist by clicking below.