Association des archivistes français

Association des archivistes français
Name	Association des archivistes français
Native name	Association des archivistes français
Abbrev	AAF
Formation	1964
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	Paris
Region served	France
Language	French

Association des archivistes français is a French professional association for archivists that promotes archival practice, heritage preservation, and professional standards across public and private institutions. It engages with national institutions such as the Ministry of Culture (France), cultural bodies like the Bibliothèque nationale de France, heritage organisations including the Centre des monuments nationaux, and international entities such as the International Council on Archives, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The association interfaces with regional archives like the Archives départementales de la Seine-Saint-Denis, municipal archives such as the Archives de Paris, and university archives at institutions including Sorbonne University and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.

History

The association was founded during a period of institutional modernisation influenced by figures linked to the French National Centre for Scientific Research and reforms associated with the Edgar Faure law, and its early development intersected with archival reforms at the Archives Nationales (France), debates around the Code civil's archival implications, and archival practice changes following the May 1968 events in France and administrative reorganisations like the creation of the Région system. Over ensuing decades it responded to legislative frameworks such as the Law on Archives (France) (1979) and engaged with heritage events such as the International Council on Archives Congress while collaborating with institutions including the Musée du Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the École des Chartes. Its history includes interaction with notable archivists and historians associated with the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, the Société des Antiquaires de France, and scholars from the École Pratique des Hautes Études.

Organisation and governance

Governance is structured around an elected board drawn from members working in state services like the Service interministériel des Archives de France, regional bodies including the Archives départementales de la Haute-Garonne, and private cultural institutions such as the Fondation de France. The association convenes statutory assemblies influenced by procedures akin to those of the Conseil d'État (France) and coordinates with professional unions including the Fédération des Églises Protestantes de France on heritage matters. Leadership roles echo governance models found at the Bibliothèque nationale de France and university councils at Université PSL with committees addressing ethics, standards comparable to those discussed at the International Organization for Standardization and legal affairs in dialogue with the Conseil constitutionnel.

Activities and services

Activities encompass advising public authorities like the Ministry of Culture (France), supporting archival services at the Archives nationales d'outre-mer, organising conferences similar to those held at the Palais du Luxembourg, and liaising with museums such as the Musée d'Orsay. Services include consultancy for digitisation projects in partnership with technology providers involved in programmes like those of the Centre national de la recherche scientifique, participation in cultural festivals such as the Fête de la Musique when archives are showcased, and cooperation with broadcasting organisations like Radio France and France Télévisions for heritage programming.

Publications and journals

The association publishes guides, position papers, and a professional journal that engages with scholarship published by presses like Presses universitaires de France and draws contributions from researchers affiliated with the Centre national du livre, the Institut national d'histoire de l'art, and university departments at Université de Strasbourg and Aix-Marseille Université. Its periodicals address topics intersecting with archival science debates occurring at the International Council on Archives and cite standards from bodies such as the European Committee for Standardization and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

Training and professional development

Training programmes are developed in cooperation with educational institutions including the École nationale des chartes, vocational branches of the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers, and university faculties like those at Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès. Courses cover archival appraisal and description techniques used in contexts similar to those at the Archives nationales (France), digital preservation methods aligned with guidance from the Open Archival Information System community, and legal aspects related to legislation overseen by the Conseil d'État (France) and institutions such as the Cour de cassation.

Advocacy and standards

The association advocates for archival access and protection in dialogue with policy-makers at the Assemblée nationale and the Sénat (France), contributes to drafting technical norms in coordination with the Association française de normalisation, and collaborates with international organisations like the Council of Europe on instruments comparable to the European Convention on Human Rights where privacy and information rights intersect. It campaigns on issues affecting records management in sectors represented by bodies such as the Union des Entreprises de Propreté and the Confédération des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises when corporate archives and regulatory compliance are at stake.

Membership and affiliations

Membership comprises professionals from municipal services like the Archives municipales de Lyon, university archives at Université de Bordeaux, cultural institutions including the Comédie-Française, corporate archives from firms akin to Société Générale and TotalEnergies, and independent archivists. Affiliations extend to international networks such as the International Council on Archives, regional bodies like the Conseil régional d'Île-de-France, and partnerships with research organisations including the Institut national de la recherche agronomique and the Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale.

Category:Professional associations based in France Category:Archives in France