- United Nations Working Group on Archives and Records Management (WGARM)
- United Nations Enterprise Content Management Project (ECM)
- Reform: Improved access to United Nations information
United
Nations Working Group on Archives and Records Management (WGARM)
WGARM aims to promote and develop records and archives management
programmes across the UN system by sharing information and through
collaboration. In addition, WGARM advocates inclusion of recordkeeping
and archives requirements and standards in information and communication
technology initiatives and in information management efforts.
WGARM has been active since the Secretary-General's Reform initiative
of 1997. More recently the group has been supported by the Common
Services Task Force. Members include representatives from all
New-York based UN system offices: Secretariat departments, UNICEF,
UN Office of Project Services, UN Development Programme and
the UN Fund for Population Activities. Observer status participation
by all UN system offices is encouraged.
WGARM has conducted collaborative projects related to records
appraisal (retention policy) and strategic planning for digital
archives development. WGARM also operates a web-based clearing-house
of information and resources for use by members and participants.
For more information contact: arms@un.org
United Nations Enterprise Content Management
Project (ECM)
The Secretariat is now planning implementation of an Enterprise
Content Management system to support information management
and knowledge sharing through a single, integrated, secure and
comprehensive system for all types of information. The system
will provide electronic document management, workflow, web content
management, web portal, records and archive management, digital
asset management and collaboration functionalities.
ARMS is providing recordkeeping expertise to this broad, collaborative
effort to ensure that the system meets UN and best practice
recordkeeping standards. In particular, ARMS will oversee development
of appropriate retention schedules and related function-based
taxonomies.
In the lead up to rollout staff from a range of the stakeholder groups took part in a two-day preparedness workshop delivered by Center for Technology in Government. View the Powerpoint presentations for Day 1 and Day 2 by clicking the links.
Reform: Improved access to United Nations
information
The outline of the Secretary-General's February 2006 management
reform report includes actions designed to align administrative
processes with best practices in matters of accountability and
transparency. With direct relevance to ARMS is the objective
to improve access to UN information.
To support improved access, ARMS is assessing:
- current policies for access to UN records
- practices for applying security classifications to UN records to ensure uniform restrictions on access to information and to facilitate the declassification process
- and requirements for implementing an information disclosure programme in the Secretariat

