Enhancing security and risk management for UNESCO archives : a case study of the National Archives in Wroclaw and crisis management strategies for uniformed services

Abstract

PURPOSE: The subject of the article is an analysis of the problem of evacuation of archival resources included in the UNESCO World Heritage List on the example of a specific group of documentation such as rotulus. The article reviews the obligations and powers of the State Archives in Wrocław in the management of a resource subject to special protection, and also analyzes the provisions regarding the problem of risk management in the context of the possible occurrence of an armed conflict and the need to evacuate the resource.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research methods used are participant observation and a case study covering the resources of the State Archives in Wrocław. The observations were deepened by the experience of the authors dealing with the "archival environment" on a daily basis.

FINDINGS: Three risk areas were identified that were considered important from the perspective of the need to create a professional risk management policy in archival institutions. The implementation of a program of good practices was proposed, and solutions were recommended that may be helpful in planning the evacuation of this resource and may serve as an external voice for expert task teams creating security procedures. appointed by state authorities and archival institutions.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The research can be used to improve risk management procedures by institutions dealing with the protection of cultural heritage, including UNESCO. The presented recommendations for the evacuation of resources can also be successfully used by institutions that store various types of archival resources.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The originality of the research lies in a diverse approach to the problem, the main aspect of which focuses on the areas of recruitment of responsible staff who, in the face of the outbreak of a military conflict, will be ready to take up the challenge of protecting valuable archival resources, treating the civil service as a priority. It also makes revisions in the field of competence conflicts, attitudes and communication, which have not yet been discussed in the scope proposed by the literature.