PARBICA 20 – Empowering our archives to be resilient
A key activity of PARBICA is its General Conference. The conference provides a unique opportunity to make or renew professional contacts with other archivists who usually work in isolation. Delegates discuss common problems and explore possible solutions in small groups and plenary sessions. The focus is on drawing up recommendations and guidelines for use by archivists as well as for in-country training of archives and records management staff.
Following its inaugural meeting in Suva in 1981, PARBICA has held conferences every two years. These conferences provide a unique opportunity to make and renew professional contacts with other archivists working in the Pacific region.
PARBICA20 will be held online over three days – 7 to 9 November 2023.
While we very much enjoy and appreciate the benefits of meeting in person, building relationships and hand-on training. An online event provides:
- more opportunities for members to attend
- low cost participation
- ability to engage international speakers
- ability to pick and choose presentations and seminars of most interest
Conference Registration
The Conference will be presented online using Zoom. Registration is free for PARBICA members, and AUD $60 for non-members.
Call for papers
The PARBICA Bureau extends a call for papers for the upcoming PARBICA 20 conference ‘Empowering our archives to be resilient’ – 7 – 9 November 2023.
The rapid pace of technological advancement, while useful, can also cause further challenges for our archives and record keepers in the Pacific. You will be aware of concerns in the international audio-visual archives community that we are approaching a deadline to have audio-visual materials on magnetic tape digitised. The international consensus is that magnetic media that has not been digitised by 2025 will likely be lost forever. Tape degradation, obsolete playback equipment, a shortage of spare parts and a decline in relevant expertise all mean that the end of routine or large-scale transfer from magnetic tape is fast approaching.
We are aware that many holdings in the pacific are housed on this media format, and we need to act now to ensure the long-term future of these important records to our communities.
Papers are invited on any of the following topics, or on other activities at your organisation:
Papers are invited on any of the following topics, or on other activities at your organisation:
• Audio visual situation – how has your organisation approached your AV situation. What have you done to mitigate the risk of loss of your material? What challenges have you faced and how have you adapted? Can you offer advice or solutions for migrating AV material to digital formats?
• Resilience – has your organisation developed approaches to effectively manage adversity and foster future success? Think innovation in action, and ideas and initiatives to inspire and motivate others. What challenges have led to innovative solutions for your organisation? How might archivists and recordkeepers turn the challenges of change into opportunities for new services or policies? What tools or technologies have you adopted to enable your organisation to continue to do its work?
• Repatriation – What principles should apply to proposals or requests to repatriate records of Pacific nations? Are there case studies that expose some of the issues and difficulties that might arise? What circumstances might arise that mean that repatriation is not the best solution for providing proper access and governance of information held off-country?
Please provide the following in your submission:
1. A title for the session
2. A brief (1-3 paragraphs) explanation of what the session will cover and how the session will address the theme
3. Proposed length of session
4. A biography for the speaker(s) (1-2 paragraphs)
5. Author information including name, position, organisation and contact details
1. A title for the session
2. A brief (1-3 paragraphs) explanation of what the session will cover and how the session will address the theme
3. Proposed length of session
4. A biography for the speaker(s) (1-2 paragraphs)
5. Author information including name, position, organisation and contact details
Proposals must be submitted by Friday 29 September 2023
There is no obligation to do so, but if speakers wish to supply a full written paper to the PARBICA Bureau they will be considered for publication on the PARBICA website.
To submit your proposal or for more information please contact:
Natalie Vaha’akolo, PARBICA Secretary General
Email: parbica.secretariat@dia.govt.nz
Phone: +64 9 913 2152
Conditions for participation
PARBICA is not in a position to offer financial support to speakers and no speakers’ fees are payable. PARBICA 20 is a fully virtual conference, so presenters will be required to deliver their papers live online.
Notification
All candidates will be notified of acceptance or otherwise via email on 29 September 2023. The decision of acceptance of abstracts is at the discretion of the PARBICA Bureau.
We look forward to hearing from you,
Julian Chonigolo
PARBICA President
We look forward to hearing from you,
Julian Chonigolo
PARBICA President
General Conference & Bureau Reports
Tuesday 7 November 2023
Tuesday 7 November 2023
General Conference
Welcome and President’s Report
Secretary-General’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Bureau Elections
PARBICA business planning for 2024-2026
Secretary-General’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Bureau Elections
PARBICA business planning for 2024-2026
Country Reports
Partner and Sponsor Reports
Wednesday 8 November 2023
Presentation of papers
Thursday 9 November 2023
Presentation of papers and online workshops