Full call for papers
In today’s rapidly changing world, new technologies offer both opportunities and challenges. Archivists are not only the custodians of our past, they are also helping to shape our future. The role of archivists and records managers has broadened. They now not only preserve records, but also manage memories, protect identities and navigate the complexities of social conflict. Archivists ensure that records protect rights and make information accessible and understandable.
At the Barcelona Congress, participants will discuss the future of archives, the evolving role of the profession, and how to connect with other fields. By sharing ideas and knowledge, we use the power of archives to create a more informed and inclusive world. Join us at “Knowing Pasts, Creating Futures” to shape the future by learning from the past.
The Congress Programme Committee hereby invites your proposals for papers and other types of sessions related to the theme “Knowing Pasts, Creating Futures.” Session formats and subthemes are described below.
The Programme Committee welcomes the participation of new professionals in the field, new members of the ICA community, and people from other professions who want to engage with archivists and records managers.
An evaluation panel will select proposals for the final programme based on the quality of the proposals and the significance of the topics, while also ensuring that the Congress includes a diverse group of speakers from a wide range of countries and perspectives. In addition, the final programme should provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about record keeping and archives in our host country.
Note for ICA Branches, Sections, and Expert Groups: all ICA groups will be able to reserve meeting time on Monday, 27 October, subject to availability of spaces in the congress venue. For this, you do not need to submit a proposal. Groups can open these meetings to all attendees or limit them to their members. ICA will also organize dedicated lightning talk sessions for Sections and Expert Groups to provide short introductions to their objectives and ongoing work for the general ICA audience. However, ICA groups and their members can always submit session proposals on their significant projects using the usual process to share their work with the widest audience.
Subthemes
1. Managing Memories / Preserving Identities
To navigate the uncertainties of the future, humanity must not forget its past. In this context, archives are essential instruments of society, which is expressed through traditional communication channels and others that are constantly evolving. These include social networks and new social movements, which, in many cases, generate instant and ephemeral documentation.
2. Conflict, Disaster, and Displacement
Around the world there are episodes of forced displacement, displaced people and emergent movements whose memory and that of the reception spaces are important to preserve. These memories are fragile and endangered, and from the archives we must respond to preserve them as a testimony of human activity (displaced people), social activity (organisations supporting displaced people: humanitarian, medical, etc.), and official activity (driven by states and global organisations: UN, EU, etc.).
3. Records of Rights
Archives guarantee personal and collective rights by providing access to our memory through heritage management. Document management ensures better access to documents, greater transparency and good governance of public administrations. In terms of collective rights, archives promote corporate social responsibility through collaboration between archives and society.
4. Digital and Accessible
Within digital society, archives are digitising the past, present, and future. As a result, both digital humanities and artificial intelligence projects focus on documents, from all time periods. However, these strategies differ significantly from traditional models of knowledge transfer, often involving the direct construction of knowledge from information. This universal access to documents, data and information significantly changes the role of professionals.
5. Archival Futures
The training of archive professionals is crucial in shaping the future of the profession. With new societal challenges and developments in the field, it is time for an in-depth debate on the functions of professionals, their expertise, professional skills, and areas of specialisation. We must assess the state of the profession and evaluate new realities and experiences to determine the professional hazards and opportunities faced by archivists and document managers.
Papers may be submitted in Catalan, Spanish, English or French
We request that you complete your application by no later than Thursday 16 January 2025 (23:59:59 CET). Presenters will be notified of acceptance by the end of April 2025. The Programme Committee will only consider submissions received via ConfTool. Instructions on how to submit are contained in the submission platform.
Submission Form
Read more about types of sessions and other details.
Publishing in the Archives Profession 