Vision, Mission and Priorities

The ARA is the professional body representing all those in the archiveand recordkeeping sector. We seek to promote the interests of archivists,records managers and archive conservators throughout the UK & Ireland. 

The ARA’s Vision

The Archives and Records Association is the lead body for archives, records management and archives conservation (‘recordkeeping’) in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and as such provides a single voice on all matters relating to the sector within both countries.

The ARA embraces practitioners in archives, records management, archive conservation, archive learning, research and outreach, and all related recordkeeping functions, as well as users, owners and the wider community of those with an interest in records and archives.

It fosters, promotes and seeks to broaden the care, management, access to and use of records and archives by everyone for the effective functioning of governance and administration; for education and enjoyment; for posterity and the public interest.

It is a membership organisation which serves as the professional body for those involved in all aspects of recordkeeping in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and as the main advocate for the sector in its widest sense. It welcomes the membership of all those with interests in archives and records, and seeks to provide a voice for the users and owners of records.

It represents the interests of the British and Irish sector internationally.

Its mission is divided into three co-equal parts: Professionalism, Advocacy and Inclusion.

The ARA's Mission

Professionalism

As the professional body for archivists, records managers, archives conservators and other records professionals and para-professionals in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, The ARA:-

  • promotes the interests of its members and serves their career needs.
  • supports the professional development of its members throughout their careers in the sector, from initial training onwards.
  • researches, develops and promotes the professional skills required by the sector.
  • supports and develops the highest professional and ethical standards in all aspects of the way records and archives are managed in all sectors in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland;

 Advocacy

As the voice of the archives and record-keeping sector for records professionals, owners, custodians and users in the United Kingdom and Ireland, The ARA:-

  • articulates and advocates the unique identity, role and contribution of records and archives clearly to policy makers, stakeholders and partners in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
  • articulates and advocates to stakeholders, policy makers and the public the importance of the preservation and provision of appropriate access to records and archives.
  • encourages develops and facilitates advocacy training for records professionals to enable them to promote their skills within diverse areas of operation.
  • seeks to influence the development of policy, practice and legislation as it impacts on recordkeeping and those working in the sector nationally and internationally by leading and coordinating partnerships with related bodies.
  • works for the improvement and development of the sector so that it better meets the challenges of cultural, administrative, financial and technological change.

Inclusion

As a membership body for records professionals, custodians, users, students and other stakeholders throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, The ARA:-

  • seeks to promote equality and diversity in the recordkeeping professions and the sector as a whole.
  • supports the work of the sector to engage with wider audiences for archives, as well as providing a voice for existing users.
  • works for the improvement and development of community stake holding in archives, by promoting the role of the community archives sector.
  • supports the development of volunteer involvement in archives.

Strategic Priorities

By 2013 the ARA will have:

  • A public profile that recognises the ARA as the lead voice of the sector, representing all members and promoting the value of what they do across the archives and record-keeping sector
  • A strong, effective and independent relationship with government, national and international sector stakeholders
  • Strong and clearly defined relationships with other bodies in the sector, based on the continuing approach of merger for mutual support and development
  • A programme of education, training and continuing professional development which all members can participate in at the appropriate level for them
  • A strong regionally based structure with local programme development
  • A developed and attractive range of benefits for all categories of membership and an increasing number of members
  • An enhanced programme for developing and supporting professional standards and training to promote the 21st century archive workforce, based on equality and diversity

The Organisational Structure of the ARA:

Click here to see the Organisational Structure as at May 2012


 

Last Updated (Tuesday, 19 June 2012 14:17) Thursday, 04 November 2010 00:04