IASA 2019 Annual Conference

In Berlin 2017, the panelists analyzed innovation and human failure in small scale AV archives and asked the Question what do we need to learn from each other? This panel session had an immense effect since many contributions to the discussion could help in overcoming difficulties that were presented by the panelists. Now, two years later, the same panelists meet again and discuss the outcomes of the learning process and focus on the future of small scale audiovisual archives in Asia. What makes them so special and different form the large archives in broadcasting stations and national institutions? Which type of network will the future bring to the table and in which direction can technical staff, users, administrators, and the immediate community work towards an effective implementation of standards that really help to make knowledge available to all? Taking the discussion again to the institutions in China, Laos, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, this panel will shape a continuity in dedicating professional efforts to one of the most common audiovisual archive organizations in emerging countries of Asia. The outcome of this panel is a number of questions that help stimulate further discussion and draw attention to the weak connection between archival goals and the communal understanding of continuity in some Asian institutions. This is also a creative report of the panel organizer's work as IASA ambassador in this region.