The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts (MEHA) would like to wish the staff of the National Archives of Fiji, professionals in the archival community, local and overseas institutions and the International Council of Archives a very happy International Archives Day.
International Archives Day was first recognised by the United Nations in 2007, and since then, has given those who have a passion for history, the opportunity to unite and raise awareness on the reasons why preserving historical documents and content is so important.
Minister for Education Rosy Akbar stated that since its inception in 1954, the National Archives of Fiji, formerly known as the Central Archives of Fiji and Western Pacific High Commissions, has always understood the significance of maintaining historical data and was the custodian to records, not just from Fiji, but other islands in the Pacific as well.
“This year’s theme, ‘Empowering Archives’ is especially appropriate, as the importance of the role that archives play, on a national level, is immense and we have always understood this. National Archives provide a fantastic, evidence-based insight into how the governance of countries has evolved,” said Minister Akbar.
“For 16 years, we maintained records of historical value for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna but these have since been transferred to the Auckland University, for retention, after we gained independence in 1970.”
She added that the effect of historical records changes from person to person but, in most cases, it provides researchers with a greater sense of identity and an appreciation for the progress that our island nation has made.
“Keeping this in mind, the theme of empowering archives is indeed suitable when we think about the value that archives hold in terms of sustaining accountability, transparency, democracy, heritage and memory for the betterment of society.
“Fijians, from primary school students to qualified academics, and families of all backgrounds have either walked through those doors or have sent requests via emails, surface mail, Facebook or the Fiji Archives website, both locally and abroad, in search of their slice of history.”
The National Archives of Fiji has remained committed to its role as being the guardians of Fiji’s documentary heritage and aims to raise awareness, amongst the general public and senior decision-makers, on the importance of maintaining archives, improving the understanding of the necessity of long- term archival preservation, and to showcase its vast collection of unique and rare documents in celebration of International Archives Day.
