Archiwa i archiwiści łącznikiem teraźniejszości z przeszłością i przyszłością
Archives and archivists as a link between the present, the past and the future

Summary/Abstract: Since the dawn of history, archival activities have been associated with the level of cultural and civilizational development of the societies concerned and their cultural characteristics. These were established along with the development of state institutions. For centuries they owed their existence to the types of media in which they were created, and favorable circumstances. By documenting the past, they became one of the most important components of the primary source base, underpinning professional historical research. However, they often, if not usually, attracted the attention of political agents interested in interpreting the past to suit their own ends. The duty of archives and archivists, however, is to strive to build an objective picture of the past, just as it is in day-to-day operations to manage the documentation produced on an ongoing basis in such a way that it reflects the totality of political, social, cultural problems and the activities of all authorities, political institutions and subjects of economic and social life. It is on this basis that the primary source base for future historical research is created. In this way, and this is the basic thesis of the article, archives and archivists become a link between the present and both the past and the future, whose research requirements and cultural needs they are obliged to satisfy in their record-keeping policies. For these activities to be fully possible, archivists as a professional group must demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and strive to meet the ethical requirements adopted by the international community.

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