FIAT/IFTA World Conference 2026

The FIAT/IFTA Value Use and Copyright Commission has since the last world conference in Rome 2025 worked on a project about ethical considerations in broadcasting archives. The project was initiated at the conference by a round table discussion with some of the following subjects: 
* Opening Databases to the Public
* Re-Publishing Biased or Offensive Archival Content
* Preservation of Metadata and Historical Integrity
* Need for Institutional Guidelines

The purpose of this panel is to open a discussion on the skills required by audiovisual archive leaders in Latin America.

The objective is to explore, together with leaders of institutional, official, non-official, community, activist, and self-managed archives, how the "profile" of an audiovisual archivist is constructed in our region and what specific skills we have had to develop in accordance with our divergent realities and the influence of the current political and social climate and governments.

The panel will propose a dialogue based on a series of guiding questions, in which we could involve people with long careers as well as new leaders who can provide feedback on how they have integrated into the dynamics of our field, how the profession has (or has not) become professionalized, how we relate to best practices in the Global North, and how we communicate and educate our audiences and communities of interest about audiovisual archives. The objective of the dialogue could be, in a complementary way, the creation of a poster to be shared collectively, where we can recognize ourselves and enhance those characteristics that define audiovisual archivists in our region.

Audiovisual archives are increasingly confronted with ethical, social, and technical challenges when documenting traumatic, community-based and/or marginalised histories. This two‑hour participatory workshop explores how archive services can engage responsibly with these sensitive materials while fostering more inclusive and community‑centred practices.
Designed as a World Café, the session invites participants to rotate across thematic tables, each guided by an expert moderator and introduced by a short case study highlighting key dilemma and approach.
Examples will frame the collective discussion and encourage participants to reflect on the diversity of archival contexts and methodologies. Together, participants will identify concrete actions linked to three essential dimensions:

1. Publics and mediation: strategies for contextualising sensitive materials, involving communities in shaping narratives, and supporting inclusive authorship of shared histories.
2. Witnesses and co‑creation: ethical engagement with contributors and survivors, including methods for their protection and empowerment, and collaborative production of archival content.
3. Collections and archival practice: improving discoverability of sensitive collections, addressing descriptive biases, and examining both the potential and risks of AI in the management of marginalised archives.

Bringing together contributors from varied regions, institutional traditions, and professional backgrounds, from national heritage institutions to grassroots archival initiatives, the workshop aims to foster a plural, global, and practice‑oriented exchange.
A final plenary will synthesise insights from all tables and outline a shared set of recommendations to support more ethical, inclusive, and community‑centred approaches within audiovisual memory institutions.

Sub-Title: Building Together the Future of The Profession


In response to rapid changes in the audiovisual archive and media profession, the FIAT/IFTA is working on the project of a Think Tank for education in future skills and consolidation of shared knowledge.
 
As a matter of fact, technological transformation, automation and digital workflows are reshaping roles, skills and professional identities, while some traditional knowledge - especially related to analogue and manual practices - is at risk of being lost.
 
The Think Tank missions are to:

• Monitor global trends affecting the profession.
• Anticipate skills gaps and emerging needs.
• Act as a strategic observatory for professional evolution in audiovisual archives and related fields.

To carry out these missions, it should actively establish and strengthen alliances and partnerships, and ensure diversity of expertise, professional backgrounds and geographic representation through a dedicated governance. 
It will then launch its first activities, at the service of the professional community.
 
This Discussion panel aims to present and discuss emerging talking points and invite the audience to add to our story, through interactive polls.
 
It will bring together 4 participants (names to be confirmed):

• A representative of the FIAT/IFTA
• A representative of the training and education sector
• A representative of a broadcast/film archive of the south american region
• A representative of a regional archive holding TV, Radio and/or Film collections

If possible, we think that a plenary session would allow to highlight the need for ongoing education on all levels in archives, no matter the size and scope.