The Fund for International Archival Development (FIDA) is reactivated

ICA Executive Board, during its meeting of November 17th, reactivated FIDA, to create it as a largely autonomous body within the ICA Constitution.
This reactivation will consent to support projects for developing archives and the archival profession, with respect of the local situation and of cultural diversity. It’s particularly vital for developing countries.
The new FIDA shall first meet in Paris on February 2010. First of all it’ll have to determine its procedures, specifically how and when projects call will be, what criteria will be applied for selection.

 The goal: award grants that further the six objectives set out in the ICA Strategic Directions and these goals:

• Promoting archives
• Encouraging and supporting the development of archives in all countries
• Building capacity, stimulating training opportunities and developing infrastructures for archives in developing countries
• Enabling archivists in developing countries to acquire the professional and management competencies needed to occupy leadership positions
• Encouraging access to archives
• Undertaking other activities that will further the objectives of ICA.

 The funds :

• Gifts or bequests designated for the Fund
• Sponsorship funds for FIDA as a whole or specific FIDA initiatives
• Amounts allocated to the Fund by the Executive Board
• Accumulated interest, dividends, and capital gains

The trustees :

• Sarah Tyacke, Chief Executive of the Public Record Office/The National Archives (1992-2005); Chair of the International Records Management Trust since 2004.
• Maurice Hamon, Director of General Relations, Saint-Gobain France
• Mitsuoki Kikuchi, President of the National Archives of  Japan (2001-2009), currently Executive Advisor to the National Archives of Japan.
• Peter Mlyansi, Director of Records and National Archives of Tanzania till July 2009, President of ESARBICA (2007-2009).
• Trudy Peterson, Deputy Archivist and Acting Archivist of the United States (1993-1995), Executive Director of Open Archives Society (1995-1998), Archivist of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (1999-2002), currently Consulting archivist.
• Two trustees ex officio : Lewis Bellardo, Senior Advisor to the Archivist of the United States (vice president, Programme), et Setareki Tale, Archivist of the Fidji government and President of PARBICA (vice president, Branches)

 Interview : Mitsuoki Kikuchi explains why he’s one of the new trustees of the Fund

• Why have you agreed to be part of the Fund ?
  I come from Japan, and as for the archives, Japan can be seen as a developing country. So it’s very important that Japan be part of the Fund for International Archival Development. I’m very happy to contribute to promote archives and archival programs. It’s also important that Asia is represented in the Fund.
• How do you see your action ?
  I wish to contribute to raise funds for archives. I think to adress japanese compagnies that work in the area, such as communication, computers or cameras societies.
• Are they specific areas that you wish to act for ?
  I’ve worked for administration, for japanese government, and I think it essential to raise awareness about the importance of archives.