Piers Cain
Director of Research, Development and Education
International Records Management Trust

INTRO TO MPSR PROGRAMME

The Management of Public Sector Records (MPSR) Study Programme was initiated in 1994 by the International Records Management Trust (IRMT). The Programme seeks to define international solutions to the management of both paper and electronic records systems and to develop local mechanisms to implement these solutions. In 1997, it became a joint enterprise between the IRMT and the International Council on Archives (ICA).

The MPSR Study modules are intended to address the needs of people who may not have access to training and education in records and archives management or who have limited access to publications, conferences, professional programmes or other educational opportunities. The goal has been to raise the standard of records and archives education and thus to improve the care of those information resources that comprise essential evidence of public accountability and that help society preserve its documentary heritage. The Project’s objectives include:

• the development of an integrated series of educational modules on records and archives management, which may be used for self-study, as part of a distance education programme or as resource tools for face-to-face or workshop teaching
• the development of associated training tools, including case studies, manuals and resource kits for educators, to enhance the potential use of the modules
• the production of documentary and instructional video films illustrating issues of relevance to information and records management
• the delivery of seminars to raise awareness among archivists, senior managers and decision makers about the role of information and records to support accountability, transparency and efficiency in government, protect the rights and entitlements of citizens and enhance society’s cultural memory.

INTRO TO ‘ACCOUNTABILITY WORKSHOPS’

In many countries very little information is available on how government allocates and uses resources or carries out stated functions. Moreover, much of the information that does exist is not readily accessible when it is needed.

If accurate, complete and verifiable records are not created and managed, the evidence necessary for holding officials accountable or for detecting and deterring corruption will not exist. Public health, education, pensions, land and judicial rights all depend upon well-kept and well-managed records.

The International Records Management Trust is developing Information for Accountability Workshops, in collaboration with Transparency International and with funding from the World Bank. The project's objective is to educate civil society and government representatives about the importance of well-managed evidence. It aims to:

• identify information created by government that supports accountability
• learn how government information can and should be used to support accountability
• discuss what citizens can reasonably expect to have access to
• agree on how best they can obtain information
• recognise who is responsible for maintaining information
• determine how it should be maintained.

The project's goal is to encourage open government and the formation of an informed civil society. Ultimately this new approach should provide government officials with an opportunity to identify and respond to their local constituents' requests for information, to improve the quality of the information available and to reduce the spread of misinformation.