Sonderband 2. International Council on Archives. Dritte Europäische Archivkonferenz, Wien 11. bis 15. Mai 1993. Tagungsprotokolle (1996)
4. Session / Séance. Strategies for Links with Historical Research / Stratégies de Communication envers la Recherche historique - Nebiker, Regula: Towards a New History of Europe (pre-integration period). The Archival Point of View / Pour une nouvelle Histoire européenne (avant l’intégration) (english 373 - français 382)
4. Session/Séance: Nebiker, Towards a new History of Europe The position of archives in relation to the public has been changed. They are no longer, places where the sources necessary for historical research are preserved. They actively make their mark on history. They will also occupy henceforth a special place in the system of representative democracy in the sense that they allow the administration to exercise, retrospectively, direct public control, which is currently the responsibility of the representatives of the population on parliamentary commissions of enquiry or on independent financial tribunals5. There is nothing surpring, therefore, in the fact that the work of archivists, which usually is carried on out of sight, can sometimes occupy the foreground of current affairs in periods of great changes. This is currently the case, for example, with regard to the handling and preservation of the records of STASI (Staatssicherheit) after the reunification of Germany or again when the archives of the former Soviet Union were reopened6. As regards the development of new structures both in the former countries in the East and within the framework of European integration, the knowledge and understanding, which we will have of the historical evolution of the different European societies will be decisive factors. Historians and archivists have access to these data. Their job is to bring this knowledge to the attention of spokesmen and of the public at large in such a way that it is understood. The transmission of this information ought to be one of the first jobs of a new History of Europe. This mandate is equally the responsibility of archivists: their function cannot be restricted simply to acquiring and preserving records, so as to be able to produce them on request. Furthermore, they must actively publicise the data available in their repositories, indeed they should suggest specific subjects for research. Before showing how this function of archives as middleman, can be made use of within the framework of a new historiography of Europe, we must see what is the present position relating to access to archives in Europe. We must also ask ourselves why the situation of sources for the history of Europe is at present so diverse and complex. A study of the European archive scene itself reveals the complexity of integration in Europe. Mention will be made later on of the numerous attempts which have been made over the years to expedite access to sources for historical research. These attempts are unquestionably one aspect of European integration, akin to offical political activities. As far as libraries are concerned, their networks, use of modern technology, potential for inter-library loans, new data mediums etc., have opend up virtually unlimited possibilities throughout the whole world of access to almost all published literature. Compared with this immense supply of data in libraries which is rapidly expanding and improving, the state of development characterising archives and the difficulties of access make it cut a rather sorry figure. For this there are several reasons, one of them is that the work of archive services is not aimed at the public at large. Moreover the greatest difficulty of access also lies in the nature of archives. 5 Menne-Haritz, Angelika: Schlüsselbegriffe der Archivterminologie, in: Veröffentlichungen der Archivschule Marburg 20 (1992), p. 13. 6 Mommsen (as above note 1 ), col. 22. 376
