ICA Congress 2012: What to expect?
July 25, 2008
This 16th ICA Congress is nearing its end. But what about the next Congress, in 2012 in Brisbane, Australia? The Flying Reporters met with Margaret Kenna, Project Director of 2012 ICA Congress in Brisbane, Australia to find out what is in store for the coming Congress.
In 2012, the Brisbane Congress will be the first ever in the Southern Hemisphere. What added value do you think it will bring to the event and the region?
There is a strong and enthusiastic archival and recordkeeping professional community in this area. We have close working relationships with PARBICA, so it will be really interesting to hold the Congress in this region. Having the Congress in Brisbane will give us the opportunity to focus on problems specific to southern countries, such as the preservation of records in tropical climates. For the archivists from less affluent countries of Oceania and Southeast Asia, it will provide an opportunity to come to the Congress in larger numbers considering the shorter physical distance for them to travel to the Congress.
Have the themes of the Congress already been defined?
Yes, we are working on this at the moment. The first one is about digital archives, as it is a key issue for the 21st century. Archives and records management training will be another theme. We also want to address the important subject of bringing archives closer to the public. This will be linked with the educational program led by Australian Archives, in particularly by the National Archives.
How will you be involving the younger professionals in the Congress?
A large number of professional groups, among them many young professionals, are already very interested in the Congress and in getting involved with the preparations. In Australia we have an administrative program that includes professional orientation; this enables people who are finishing their University education to learn about job opportunities within the archival institutions and about getting involved in these institutions professionally. These young professionals have a strong educational background and working experience. They will be the leaders of the future. We want to give them an active voice.
Where can we get more information about the Congress?
There is already practical information on the National Archives of Australia website at http://www.naa.gov.au/whats-on/ica-2012/index.aspx where the brochure of the event can be downloaded. Traveling to Brisbane will require some advance preparation, and relevant information will soon be updated to the website.
Cécile Fabris and Daniel Oliveira
In 2012, the Brisbane Congress will be the first ever in the Southern Hemisphere. What added value do you think it will bring to the event and the region?
There is a strong and enthusiastic archival and recordkeeping professional community in this area. We have close working relationships with PARBICA, so it will be really interesting to hold the Congress in this region. Having the Congress in Brisbane will give us the opportunity to focus on problems specific to southern countries, such as the preservation of records in tropical climates. For the archivists from less affluent countries of Oceania and Southeast Asia, it will provide an opportunity to come to the Congress in larger numbers considering the shorter physical distance for them to travel to the Congress.
Have the themes of the Congress already been defined?
Yes, we are working on this at the moment. The first one is about digital archives, as it is a key issue for the 21st century. Archives and records management training will be another theme. We also want to address the important subject of bringing archives closer to the public. This will be linked with the educational program led by Australian Archives, in particularly by the National Archives.
How will you be involving the younger professionals in the Congress?
A large number of professional groups, among them many young professionals, are already very interested in the Congress and in getting involved with the preparations. In Australia we have an administrative program that includes professional orientation; this enables people who are finishing their University education to learn about job opportunities within the archival institutions and about getting involved in these institutions professionally. These young professionals have a strong educational background and working experience. They will be the leaders of the future. We want to give them an active voice.
Where can we get more information about the Congress?
There is already practical information on the National Archives of Australia website at http://www.naa.gov.au/whats-on/ica-2012/index.aspx where the brochure of the event can be downloaded. Traveling to Brisbane will require some advance preparation, and relevant information will soon be updated to the website.
Cécile Fabris and Daniel Oliveira