Sonderband 2. International Council on Archives. Dritte Europäische Archivkonferenz, Wien 11. bis 15. Mai 1993. Tagungsprotokolle (1996)
3. Session / Séance. Sharing of Experience and Exchange of Staff / Partage d’Expériences et Echange des Personnes - Huyda, Richard: Coordination Research in Archival Sience and Dissemination of Professional Information / Coordination de la recherche en archivistique et diffusion de l’information professionnelle (english 231 - français 251)
3. Session/Séance: Marcoux - Huyda, Coordinating Research in archivai Science mation dissemination initiatives match the type of grant programmes. Sometimes, that will mean readjustments of our projects sothat the underlying concept, planning, and realization still support our long-term objectives. In other words, if it is impossible to obtain full funding for a project, including the development, establishment and ongoing maintenance of a data base for entire international archival community, it may be possible to receive support for peripheral projects aimed at specific sectors of the community. The efforts of the Association of Commonwealth Archivists and Records Managers to make professional information accessible to their developing countries come to mind. Finally, we know from experience that the easiest forms of sponsorship to obtain are most often those of a technical nature or physical assets. If private enterprises are often hesitant to hand out money for initiatives over which they have no control, they are nevertheless generally inclined to collaborate by providing expert assistance or equipment for projects that prove beneficial to them. Modern corporations, don’t forget, are always thirsty for increased visibility, and highly value the social image they areable to project. By Way of Conclusion: Some Thoughts on the Future We trust that this paper has demonstrated the importance of the dissemination of professional information for the survival and development of our profession. We hope that we have been convincing in our contention that the current conjuncture demands, if we wish to extend this diffusion at the international level, a specific attitude that calls for:- great adaptability and a decentralized approach with open and interlinked systems;- a realistic attitude that takes into account differing levels of technical development and of services being offered by members who will form any future international network for the dissemination of professional archival information;- an unconditional support for cooperation that takes into account the entire archival community and results from the contribution of the greatest number of partners, and not from sole control by several privileged partners;- the conviction that progress comes from participation and involvement, and not by the simple use of what has been produced by others. We say this, not to moralize, but because we sincerely believe that we are all able to benefit from the experience of the entire international archival community. However, to do this, our challenge is to involve as many members as possible in the dissemination of professional information. 250
