La Déclaration québécoise sur les archives

Quebec Declaration on Archives

Our Memory and Our Rights

Version française | Versión española | Versió catalana

Preambule

Archives, the sum of the documents created in the routine course of activities, are sources of memory, information and action. They play an essential role in the development of society. Archives are a unique, precious and irreplaceable heritage transmitted from generation to generation, contributing to transparent administration, the formation of our collective identity, and the growth of knowledge. Thus, they promote democracy and enhance our quality of life.

It is incumbent upon society as a whole to foster archives through public policies, a legal framework, and human, financial and material resources, as well as through the use of technology to support archival development. It is also incumbent upon society to continue to add to this heritage with documents expressing its aspirations, its debates and its achievements.

In their pursuit of the recognition of this collective responsibility, archivists and information specialists undertake, with the support of their fellow citizens, to use their expertise to serve society by managing, conserving and providing access to the archives that are entrusted to them.

To this effect, we the undersigned recognize

• the originality of archives as evidence and as a reflection of the evolution of society;
• the diversity of archives, which have been created by all people in every era, in a multiplicity of forms, in every realm of human activity;
• the necessity of archives for business, the recognition and exercise of rights and obligations, public information, and the training of responsible citizens, as well as for the establishment of individual and collective memory, understanding of the past, documentation of the present, and preparation for the future;
• the responsibility of all—public decision-makers, citizens, owners or holders of public or private archives, and archivists and information specialists—in the management of archives.

We therefore undertake to work together,

each according to his or her competence, in order that

• the management of archives is valued and is carried out fully in civil society, public bodies and businesses;
• archives are conserved in conditions that ensure their authenticity, integrity and intelligibility;
• archives are made accessible to everyone, while respecting the rights of individuals, creators, owners and users.

In this way, we will contribute to the progress of our society.

11 January 2006

Sign the Declaration (in french only)

Conception et réalisation : Comité de promotion de la Déclaration québécoise sur les archives

Mise à jour le : 18 août 2008