Archives are vital for democratic accountability as they document the decision a government makes, how they make decisions and how those decisions are implemented says the director of the National Archives of Solomon Islands Julian Chorigolo in a speech to mark the international archives day.
She said, archives document the past and inform the future where it has evidence of just about everything.
They document social justice and injustice, crime, built structure, illness, social change, citizen rights and in the most fundamental level they document us where she said the archives documented the good, the bad and the ugly.
Archives are a corner stone of accountable government where it allows scrutiny from the public they govern, she said.
“It is for such vital roles that we are gathered here today to mark the international archives day”. “According to the universal declaration on archives, archives are an irreplaceable heritage passed from one generation to another,” she added.
She said, they are authoritative sources of information underpinning accountable and transparent administrative actions.
“Such plays an essential role in development of societies by safeguarding and contributing to individual and community memory.
“Therefore, having open access to archives enriches our knowledge of human society, and enhances our quality of life.
“It is for the purpose of such, that information about this institution is made available today for the public to be well informed through activities,” she said.
The local theme for International Archives day 2015 rightly sums these up in a single sentence which reads; Archives; Protecting, Preserving and sharing our documentary Heritage.
She said, existence of such an institution is a great advantage to researchers, students, educational institution and ordinary citizens.
“It is to be fully utilised and for one to come to appreciate our past history as our identity and pride as on people and one nation,” she said.
While in the past archives and records have had a somewhat dusty old, reputation, today most records and archives are created electronically and are accessible digitally, she added.
With that she said, they require technological solution to preserve the evidence of actions and memory.
She added, the national archives is currently undertaking to bring this institution to new heights and to catch up with modern technology in their changing role.
“By doing that their service to people will greatly improve which they strive to achieve.”
A number of government institutions have join hands with other archival organization worldwide in celebrating the event yesterday.
By Biriau Wilson Saeni
