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Re: Social & ethical issues for archivists and records managers



Marcus, I have an example for you.  I am involved in an ongoing research project exploring record keeping practices in a number of failed Jamaican commercial banks.  My research clearly points to the fact that social and technological influences on record creation and keeping practices played a role in preventing the banks' managers, directors, shareholders and regulators from accessing the quality of information needed for internal control of operations, to assess the banks' financial positions and risk exposures and to control fraud.  While it cannot be argued that poor record keeping practices alone caused the bank failures, in combination with other factors (eg, macro-economic conditions), these practices can definitely be implicated.  By the way, the bank failures have cost the Jamaican Government and people some $Jamaican 130 billion ($US 4.6 billion).  In the case of Jamaica, the critical role of record making and keeping practices was not understood.  It is only after the fact that we are able to see the damage they caused.  I believe we, as archivists, have a professional responsibility to speak out to educate the public, private sector business leaders, governments, and others about the lessons learned from experiences such as Jamaica's.
-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU]On Behalf Of Marcus Robyns
Sent: 05 September 2000 17:51
To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: Re: Social & ethical issues for archivists and records managers

To the list:

Wow.  A listserv dedicated to archivists interested in social justice!  I think Rick's missive from down under summed up many issues relative to records and social justice.  I have one question based on the following statement:

There are just too
many cases in which records are being manipulated or destroyed illegally or
unethically in countries all over the world for professionals to ignore. 

Aside from obvious examples in the U.S., do you (Rick) have any other important examples to share?

Also, Rick seems fairly positive about how the large professional organizations (SAA, ARMA) are responding to the issue of social justice and archives?  I am not quite sure I agree with his assessment and wonder what others think. 

Finally, is our role to simply speak out on social justice / progressive issues relative to archives, or can we take a political stand on other issues?  For example, I am a strong support of the Green Party and its emphasis on local democracy and empowerment.  Since control of information and records is a key of local control and democracy, can an argument be made for the profession to support the Greens? 

Just some thoughts,
Marcus

______________________ Marcus C. Robyns, CA         &n be and not do is not to be at all
Assistant Professor / University Archivist
Northern Michigan University         1401 Presque Isle          227-1225
Marquette, MI 49855          227-1333 (fax)

Visit the
Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives at:
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