In order to better meet the needs of Member States, developing countries in particular, in the areas of archives administration and records management, the Division of the General Information Programme (PGI) has developed its RECORDS AND ARCHIVES MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (RAMP).
The basic themes of RAMP reflect and contribute to the overall objectives of PGI. RAMP therefore includes projects, studies and other activities intended:
- to create awareness and promote understanding, among and within governments of Member States, of the value and usefulness of records and archives as basic information resources;
- to assist countries, upon request, in the organization and development of records and archives management systems and services necessary for the full and effective utilization of these basic information resources;
- to promote and assist in the advancement and dissemination of knowledge through the training of professionals in the field of archives and records management as the basis for solid archival policies and development.
RAMP activities concentrate on infrastructure development, development of strategies for archival training, assistance in the development of standard setting instruments, protection of the archival heritage, promotion of the development and application of modern information technologies and research in archival theory and practice.
This study, prepared by Gabrielle Blais under contract with the International Council on Archives (ICA), presents the complex problem of access to archives in a changing environment. Archives are confronted with three main challenges which affect their access: the renewed relationship between archives and their creator and user communities; the prominence of electronic media in records creation and administration process; the need to adopt efficient descriptive strategies.
Comments and suggestions regarding the study are welcome and should be addressed to UNESCO, Division of the General Information Programme (PGI), 7, place de Fontenoy, 75700 PARIS, France.