Category: Open Government

Declassification Diplomacy: The United States Declassification Project for Argentina

by dferriero, posted in Collaboration, Leadership, Open Government, Special Events, Transparency

This morning I presented the final tranche of newly-declassified U.S. Government records to Argentine Minister of Justice and Human Rights, the Honorable Germán Carlos Garavano. The ceremony marks the successful completion of the U.S. Declassification Project for Argentina, the largest government-to-government declassification release in United States history. David S. Ferriero (left), delivers the final installment … Continue reading Declassification Diplomacy: The United States Declassification Project for Argentina

Modernizing the Proposed Records Schedule Commenting Process

by dferriero, posted in Leadership, NARA Records, Open Government, Records Management, Transparency

The records management program at the National Archives has been working to build an open and collaborative electronic records management community with federal and industry stakeholders for many years. A key component of this effort has been increasing access to both approved records schedules via the Records Control Schedule portal and making it easier for … Continue reading Modernizing the Proposed Records Schedule Commenting Process

Happy Sunshine Week 2019!

by dferriero, posted in Collaboration, Leadership, Open Government, Special Events

Each year, Sunshine Week honors and promotes a dialogue about the importance of open government and access to information—values that are central to the mission of the National Archives and Records Administration. I can’t think of a better place to be celebrating Sunshine Week than here at the National Archives, because we not only contribute, … Continue reading Happy Sunshine Week 2019!

NARA and Obama Foundation Sign a Digitization Memorandum of Understanding

by dferriero, posted in Collaboration, Leadership, NARA Records, Open Government

This week, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Barack Obama Foundation agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the plan to digitize all of the unclassified textual Presidential records of the Obama administration. The Foundation will select the vendor, with NARA approval, and oversee the contract. President Barack Obama Works at … Continue reading NARA and Obama Foundation Sign a Digitization Memorandum of Understanding

Celebrating American Archives Month

by dferriero, posted in Collaboration, Leadership, NARA Records, Open Government, Special Events

Standing midway between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, the National Archives building at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue is as impressive today as when it opened in 1935. Surrounded by seventy-two Corinthian columns, each over 50 feet high, it is among the most popular photo backdrops for tourists. As we celebrate Archives month, however, I … Continue reading Celebrating American Archives Month

National Archives Works to Release Records Related to Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh

by dferriero, posted in NARA Records, Open Government, Transparency

The mission of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is to provide access to the permanent records of the Federal government, which include Presidential records from NARA’s Presidential Libraries. President Donald Trump nominated Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court on July 9, 2018. NARA has permanent records related to Judge Kavanaugh, … Continue reading National Archives Works to Release Records Related to Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh

A Call to Action for Scholars of American History: Contribute to Wikipedia

by dferriero, posted in Open Government, Participation, Special Events, Uncategorized

Our mission at the National Archives is to drive openness, cultivate public participation, and strengthen our nation’s democracy through public access to government records.  We are fast approaching the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, a hallmark of the expansion of democracy here in the United States. On March 8, we will open our exhibit, … Continue reading A Call to Action for Scholars of American History: Contribute to Wikipedia

Looking Forward to the 2018-2020 FACA Final

by dferriero, posted in Open Government, Transparency, Uncategorized

I am pleased to announce the members I have selected for the 2018-2020 term of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee. I was happy to renew the Committee’s charter for an additional two-year term (2018-2020) so that members may continue to address FOIA’s greatest challenges. In response to our call for nominations in … Continue reading Looking Forward to the 2018-2020 FACA Final

Preventing FOIA Disputes

by dferriero, posted in Leadership, Open Government, Transparency

In addition to providing services that help Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requesters and Federal agencies in resolving disputes, one of the goals of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) is to prevent FOIA disputes from arising in the first place. In line with this goal, OGIS recently issued its first advisory opinion, providing … Continue reading Preventing FOIA Disputes

Making Access Happen through the Digital Public Library of America

by dferriero, posted in Collaboration, Leadership, NARA Records, Open Government, Participation

Providing public access to Federal Government records is central to the mission of the National Archives. Open access to government records strengthens democracy by allowing Americans to claim their rights of citizenship, hold their government accountable, and understand their history so they can participate more effectively in their government. Collaboration with stakeholders, the public, and … Continue reading Making Access Happen through the Digital Public Library of America