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Content:
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Founded in 1981 PARBICA covers the largest and most diverse geographic region of the ICA. It has
over 90 members, from
20 countries, including government
archives, non-government
institutions and
associations, and individuals. Many members have limited capacity in terms of staff numbers,
professional skills, storage,
communications and power
infrastructure, access
to basic supplies and
training. Many member countries have a history of foreign administration and governance
frameworks
are still developing in some. Practitioners are geographically dispersed even within countries, some
being comprised of islands hundreds of kilometres apart. The climate of the region presents significant
challenges with regard
to the preservation of
records. So the characteristics
of the region combine to
present a wide range of
issues for PARBICA.
PARBICA has an active constitution. The Bureau is well supported by member institutions and
responsibility is shared
proportionally. Work is
directed by a business plan, built on members’
resolutions from the General Assembly. The Bureau is currently implementing recommendations that
focus on financial sustainability
and modernisation. Despite
geographical and economic
challenges,
members convene for networking and training at biennial conferences. The branch has successfully
gained aid funding for a number of
regional projects, including
AUD$1m to develop the award-winning
Recordkeeping for Good Governance Toolkit. As a result of work by the Bureau,
member nations are
becoming increasingly self sufficient, securing internal funds, grants and in kind contributions to
develop archival capability in the region (in areas such as training workshops, placements,
preservation and digitisation
work).
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Scientific contribution:
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For the last 10 years PARBICA has had a tradition that its well
resourced member institutions support
the foundational functions of the Bureau, such as the Treasury and Secretariat.
Member institutions
from Pacific Island countries have traditionally provided leaders and Bureau members. This model
works well for PARBICA
and has enabled the branch to achieve a
significant amount, but
it does
depend on the commitment of the institutions involved. PARBICA’s Bureau would like to stimulate
discussion about branch administration and activity with other branches. This could contribute to an
improved network of branches
and the improved performance of ICA, which operates through its
members.
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