Romana Rahman: The history, heritage, administrative continuity, and citizens’ rights of every nation are built upon the preservation of its records, documents, and information. Archives are not merely repositories of the past; they serve as trusted sources of evidence, knowledge, and truth for future generations. International Archives Day reminds us that if we wish to preserve history, we must foster a culture of preservation today.
Observed annually on 9 June, International Archives Day is celebrated worldwide to highlight the importance of archives and records management. In 2025, the International Council on Archives (ICA) is commemorating International Archives Week from 8 to 12 June under the theme “Archives for Justice: Rights, Memory and Futures.” This theme carries profound significance, as archives play a vital role not only in preserving historical records but also in promoting justice, safeguarding citizens’ rights, ensuring administrative transparency, and supporting future research and policymaking.
As a university teacher, I have the opportunity each semester to visit various archives and information preservation institutions with my students. In the classroom, we discuss records management, digital archives, metadata, ISO 15489, and international standards for digital preservation. However, the reality often presents a different picture. Many valuable government and historical records in Bangladesh remain paper-based, while digitization efforts continue at a slow pace. Technological infrastructure is still limited in many institutions, and the shortage of trained archival professionals remains evident. As a result, a noticeable gap persists between academic knowledge and practical implementation.
Bangladesh possesses a rich and remarkable history. The Language Movement, the Liberation War, the evolution of public administration, social transformations, and the nation’s cultural heritage have generated countless records of immense historical value. Unfortunately, many of these invaluable documents remain vulnerable due to inadequate preservation practices. Once an original record is lost or damaged, its authenticity and historical significance can rarely, if ever, be fully restored. Preservation, therefore, should not be viewed as an expense but as a strategic investment in the nation’s future.
Across the world, archives are undergoing rapid digital transformation. Artificial intelligence (AI), cloud technologies, digital preservation systems, and internationally recognized metadata standards are enabling institutions to preserve information more securely while improving accessibility and long-term usability. Bangladesh must keep pace with these global developments by investing in modern archival infrastructure. Equally important is the development of skilled archival professionals, the expansion of research opportunities, and the strengthening of archival education and records management programs at the university level.
Archives should not be regarded solely as the responsibility of government institutions. Individuals, families, educational institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations all have a role to play in preserving their important records and documentary heritage. Personal and institutional archives collectively contribute to a nation’s historical memory and cultural identity.
On this International Archives Day, we hope to see Bangladesh establish a modern, technology-driven, and internationally compliant archival system. Such a system will strengthen historical preservation, protect the right to information, expand research opportunities, and promote transparency and good governance. After all, what we preserve today will become the foundation from which future generations discover their history, identity, rights, and inspiration for the future.
Romana Rahman, Senior Lecturer, Department of Information Studies, East West University
