Alma Mater University brought together archival experts from around the world

The first topic explores the relationships between different types of archives – state, local, and professional – and the creators of archival materials.

"Around the world, there are various practices regarding the transfer of archival documents from creators to archival institutions, which are largely regulated by archival legislation. This legislation defines the procedures for handing over documents, often called transfer protocols. The organization of these processes depends on archival services and the respect for archives as cultural institutions," explained Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peter Pavel Klasinc, head of Archival Studies at Alma Mater Europaea University and director of IIAS (International Institute of Archival Science Trieste/Italy – Maribor/Slovenia) in his introduction.

The archiving process includes the preparation of lists of archival materials that are created after the transfer of materials to archives and their professional arrangement. This involves technical and material interventions, such as disinfection, removal of unsuitable equipment, and the creation of informational tools, which today are enabled by computer technology. Particularly interesting is the comparison of these lists over time, from the first ones created 50 or 70 years ago to modern ones.

 "An important task of archives is also to ensure public accessibility of archival materials for research and use. Materials, once transferred to archives, must not be returned to users," emphasized Dr. Klasinc. 

Digitization and Artificial Intelligence in Archival Practice 

The second topic of this year's conference opens a discussion on the inclusion of digitization and artificial intelligence in archival work. Digitization enables quality use of documentary materials, but it is important to emphasize that archival documents must not be destroyed after digitization. Digitization also contributes to the development of individual creators of archival materials. 

Artificial intelligence offers possibilities for optimizing archival processes, such as classification, analysis, and information retrieval in large data collections. These topics will be discussed at the conference in the coming days by renowned scholars in the field of archival science, allowing participants to gain new knowledge and insights.

International Participation and the Open Archives Project for Accession Countries 

The conference includes delegates from 16 countries, including Italy, Romania, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, the USA, Slovenia, and others. There will be 23 presentations offering new specific knowledge and opening discussions. At the 18th Autumn Archival School, lecturers from 11 countries will participate, presenting 16 lectures. 

A special feature of this year's conference is the Open Archives for Accession Countries project, which, in cooperation with the Historical Archives of the European Union and with EU support, opens a discussion about the functioning of archives in EU member states and candidate countries for EU accession. The project's goal is the exchange of experiences and presentation of different practices in archival science. 

"The conference and school represent an important step in the development of archival science as an independent, academic, and interdisciplinary discipline. The research, lectures, and discussions taking place until November 30 are crucial for its further development and progress. We wish all participants to gain rich knowledge and successful collaboration in discussions and networking," concluded Dr. Klasinc.