ABSTRACT
The International Records Management Trust is a U.K. registered charity governed by a board of trustees, created in 1989 in response to a global study that documented widespread and progressive deterioration in record keeping. It works with governments around the world to strengthen records systems as a basis for improved services and resources management and for accountable and transparent democracies. From the time of its establishment, the Trust has been committed to supporting governments and records professionals in finding and applying new solutions for managing official records in a rapidly changing environment of administrative change. The Trust liaises with a range of professional associations, consultancy firms, academic institutions and NGOs in developing and integrating strategies, and structures and programs for managing records in support of evidence-based governance for national and international development. Its work falls into three interrelated program streams: 1) studies of the relationship between records management and public sector management, and the solutions required to strengthen the records infrastructure as an underpinning of effective government; 2) development of capacity building tools and programs made freely available internationally; and 3) provision of consultancy support to deliver practical improvements by developing and introducing sustainable legal and regulatory frameworks, policies, systems, procedures, and facilities. This cycle of research, education, training and application is ongoing. The Trust has worked successfully in over 30 countries. The Trust employs core staff in London and works with a large team of international consultants to deliver its portfolio of records and information management projects. Its work is funded by grants and contracts from national and international development agencies that have included the World Bank, the U.K. Department for International Development, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the United Nations Development Program.
