Theme: Advocate, Connect, Engage
Singapore
The NineteenthĀ SEAPAVAA Conference and General Assembly was held in Singapore from 22nd to 28th of April 2015. The Conference is hosted by the Asian Film Archive and the conference proper was held in the National Library Building. It was attended by delegates from different countries all over the world. The Conferenceās Theme āAdvocate, Connect, Engageāfocused on the archivists. It sought to address myriad of issues related to archivesā evolving relationships with their stakeholders, users and the community.
The 2 day Symposium presentations, concentrated on discussion revolves around, in summary:
- Explore novel and creation methods of promoting the archives and engaging the public; new technologies and new constituents open up new innovative possiblities
- Engage the public by opening up and developing a truly participatory archives online and offline; access is at the core of advocacy
- Archivists need to learn how to engage not only their users but teir other stakeholders impacting their sustainability
- Collaboration remains as the key strategy in saving at risk Archives
- Archives should be mindful of bigger advocacies beyond merely preserving our collections such as environmental pact, deomocracy, and human rights; such advocacies in line with our rason dāĆŖtre and can only improve our sustainabaility.
The seven-days conference showcased the Restoration Asia in its second year. Restoration Asia II was an event pioneered by Adrian Wood, the current SEAPAVAA Treasurer. It was first launched in Bangkok back in 2013 and had exhibited siginificant development in the film restoration industry. Moreover, two successful Workshops were held in the library; One is led by Dr. Ray Edmondon, the first SEAPAVAA President entitled āAdvocacy: The Why And How Of Itā and the āSuccession Planning: A Step To A Sustainable Archiveā led by Mick Newnham, current SEAPAVAA Presient. Included in the itenerary are the Institutional Visits and Excursion to the remarkable cultural venues in Singapore. The General Assembly happened on the 26th April 2015 with a quorum of attendance, and on the same day, the Farewell Dinner wrapped up the programme proper with a harmonious feast and friendly company.
Overall, the 19th SEAPAVAA Conference has been successful in delivering the fundametals of its Theme; Advocate, Connect, Engage. Enlighten with new purpose, and new connections, the challenge now lies with its advocates for the betterment of the Archives.