UK helps to strengthen digital records management

The UK Government recently facilitated the successful staging of a two-day Records and Digital Preservation Seminar, in partnership with the Jamaica Archives and Records Department, an agency of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, and The National Archives UK (TNA).

The seminar brought together key stakeholders from across Jamaica’s public sector, as well as attendees from several Caribbean islands who were guided by the UK’s TNA on best practices in digital preservation, cybersecurity, audiovisual heritage, and the safeguarding of national records in an increasingly connected world.

This collaborative initiative marks an important step in strengthening Jamaica’s commitment to secure, transparent and resilient information management systems, ensuring that institutional memory is preserved for current and future generations.

The workshop focused on enhancing public sector governance through improved records and information management, highlighting the shared responsibility of protecting national archives while ensuring their accessibility and integrity. Through knowledge exchange between Jamaica and the United Kingdom, participants examined practical tools and strategies to address evolving challenges in the digital age.

British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Alicia Herbert, underscored the importance of partnership and responsible stewardship of information.

“This partnership reflects the very spirit of what we are here to discuss: connection, cooperation, and the responsible stewardship of information in an increasingly digital age,” she said.

“The way we manage, protect, and use records speaks directly to the integrity of our institutions, the trust of our citizens, and the resilience of our societies. Records management is no longer a back-office function. It is central to governance, security, and accountability.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, highlighted the national importance of preserving Jamaica’s historical records, particularly in the wake of recent natural disasters.

“The preservation of our records is, in a very real sense, about preserving our history. Without our history, we cannot tell our story. This work is not administrative busy work. It is important national work. Strengthening how we preserve our records ensures that Jamaica’s story, identity, and institutional memory are protected for generations to come.”

Juliette Desplat, of The National Archives UK, also emphasised the urgency of safeguarding digital heritage, noting that: “We are faced with a silent crisis – the fragility of our digital heritage. Without deliberate preservation, vital information risks being lost to time. Greater collaboration allows us to respond to these challenges and ensure that archives remain essential resources for democracy and future generations.”