KUALA LUMPUR: It is a professional pilgrimage for archivists worldwide who will convene here to attend the International Council on Archives (ICA) Congress tomorrow.

The 16th congress will draw some 1,200 experts from 138 countries, the biggest representation since its first meeting in 1950, to discuss the challenges confronting the profession and to set a trend for the new millennium.

The one-week event, hosted by the National Archives, will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

National Archives director-general Sidek Jamil said it was an honour to be the second Asian country after China to host the global event.

"This congress is held once every four years in the world's major cities.
"China had the privilege in 1996. This year, Malaysia has been given the honour."

Three hundred speakers will deliver talks on issues and trends of archives themed "Archives, Governance and Development: Mapping Future Society".

Among them are National Archives of Japan chief conservator Aritomo Itaru, ICA president Ian Wilson and ICA's section for archival educators vice-president Karen Anderson

The highlights will be on the paper-based records, audio-visual archives, preservation and conservation techniques and the protection of archives during natural disasters or armed conflicts.

Sidek said the theme was chosen to invite the society and the world to prioritise records management as proof of good governance.

"Archives are not only important for heritage preservation but also as means of transparency in a government.

"With concrete records and materials, the country will be protected from deception and embezzlement."

He added these records would be relevant in the future as they would develop knowledge for younger generations.

"They can be the references to our past strengths and weaknesses, and guide us to move forward, which is why the country stresses on archive management."

The National Archives houses more than 300,000 collections of at least 30 types of records, including religious and political records, letters, photographs, maps and publications.

The congress will also hold business meetings, seminars, workshops and exhibitions which will provide new findings and practical solutions for issues facing archivists.