Memory refers the capacity to retain, recall, recognize and reproduce past experiences, events and ideas. Each nation keeps collective memory in which remembering and forgetting of their life experiences have been preserved in their history.
History is full of the exploits of men and women – their actions are identified as causing change, development, even catastrophe. It is of how these people came about, why, when and what will become of them.
From their collective memory and history, it has been impossible for the Indonesian people to have an impartial view at their suffering of the past. All these have left traces in the archives and being shared by many countries throught many facet of relationship: from brief encounters to long-established colonization.
The divisions of the past memories can be overcome and be treated in serene profesisional way, in which the archivist can help their contemporaries to bridge and build a shared history.
In line with the theme on “Sharing Memory through Globalization” of the recent International Council on Archives Round Table Conference (CITRA) in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, held in November 2006, the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia took the initiatives to organize international seminar on “Archives as Collective Memory of the Nations”.
The 2-day seminar will be directed to 2 objectives, i.e.(1) to encourage the pooling of the archival heritage relating to Indonesia in many countries for which sharing of sources is desirable; (2) to share memories through archives as a constituent element of collective memory, and imply the use of sources in the construction of history of the nation. The seminar will be held on 3-4 September 2007 in Bali in Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, Jl. Kartika Plaza PO.Box 1012 South Kuta Beach 80361 Bali Phone : (62-361) 751 067 Fax : (62-361) 752 475; 754 585
Speakers invited are from the national archives establishments in Southeast Asia, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, Portugal, The Netherlands, Suriname, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
On the use of archives as a constituent element of collective memory in the construction of history, historian-Indonesianists invite are from Leiden University, Cornell University, Australian National University, Keio University, Gadjah Mada University, Centre for Documentation of Indonesia‘s Architecture and University of Indonesia.
Participants expected are officials and archivist from Provincial, Municipal and County Archives Agencies in Indonesia, Central and Local Goverment institutions, higher learning institutions, Association of Indonesian Archivists, historians and other interested professionals.
Papers that will be presented are:
Our Archives Holding on Indonesia (Portugal, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Suriname)
Keeping Archives on Indonesia in our Holdings (Japan, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America)
The 17th-18th century Dutch-Indonesian Encounters in Archives (Leiden University)
Indonesia‘s Collective Memory of the Colonial Past (University of Indonesia)
Japanese Occupation in Indonesia and its Memories kept by the People (Keio University)
The Indonesian Revolution; an Academic look into Archives (Australian National University)
Sukarno, Suharto and Indonesia‘s Collective Memory (University of Indonesia)
Archives and Restoration of Old Buildings (PDAI/Centre for Documentation of Indonesia‘s Architecture)
The Use of Archives; an Archivists‘s View (National Archives of Singapore)
Memory of the World and International Committee of Blue Shield (International Council on Archives)
For further information, participants can contact the comitte in the address below:
Organizing Committee, National Archives, Republic of Indonesia, Jl. Ampera Raya no. 7, Jakarta 12560, INDONESIA.
Phone: 62-21-780-5851
ext. 111 (Ms. Listyaningtias)
ext. 115 (Ms. Daisy Widiyanti)
Fax. 62-21-781-0280
Contact person: Mona Lohanda
E-mail: monalohanda@msn.com
Source: www.anri.go.idthrough (18 Agustus 2007)
