The National Archives of Australia is playing a leading role in enhancing the archival skills of other Pacific Island nations with a new ‘toolkit’ that provides recordkeeping guidance.

Australian Consul-General to New Caledonia Jane Urquhart will host the launch of the National Archives’ Pacific Recordkeeping for Good Governance Toolkit at the Australian consulate in Noumea this evening (2 October).

The launch accompanies a conference organised by the Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (PARBICA) in Noumea which has attracted 80 delegates from 20 Pacific Island countries.

‘National Archives staff have created this recordkeeping toolkit which Pacific Islands governments can use to enhance the state of recordkeeping in their administrations,’ said Ross Gibbs, Director-General of the National Archives.

‘It will help ensure governments recognise the importance of meeting their legal obligations which, in turn, will help protect the rights and entitlements of their citizens.’

The toolkit was developed with support from AusAID through the Pacific Governance Support Program.

‘We are delighted to take a leadership role in the region to help neighbouring countries aspire to the highest standards of government recordkeeping,’ said Mr Gibbs.

‘The kit will help guide the work of archivists in other Pacific Island countries.  It includes guidelines that underscore the principles of good governance, public sector efficiency and accountability.  Power Point slides and brochures will help archivists explain the aims in their own countries.’

At the launch Mr Gibbs will also present the government of New Caledonia with a gift of digital copies of records from the National Archives collection relating to Australia’s support for the Ralliement of New Caledonia to the side of the Free French in 1940.

President of the Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (PARBICA) Mr Setareki Tale will also be at the launch.