The availability of documentary evidence strengthens civil society by helping to protect legal rights and prevent human rights violations. Legal redress, voting rights, land registration and pension claims all depend upon the availability of records. Conversely, the loss of control of records undermines the state's ability to protect the people. Furthermore, in the absence of well-managed records, information can be manipulated, transparency becomes impossible and fraud flourishes. Citizens cannot participate meaningfully in the governance process or hold government officials accountable for their actions and decisions. Freedom of Information is meaningless.The International Records Management Trust, Rights and Records Institute is dedicated to serving the international information management community. It acts as a leading resource for technical information and services through research and education. Through its activities, the Institute seeks to empower developing country governments to manage public records in support of citizen's rights and to make public sector service delivery more efficient and economic. This article introduces broadly the work of the Trust and the newly established Rights and Records Institute and inform on both ongoing and completed research. The work of the TrustThe International Records Management Trust was set up in 1989 to develop new approaches to managing public sector records. Its creation was prompted by the recognition that there were major recordkeeping problems in the public sector of English-speaking developing countries. Officials in ministries and departments were finding it impossible to

BackgroundModel Requirements for the Management of Electronic Records (MoReq) (Fresko and Waldron, 2001) is, as the title suggests, a generic specification for computerised systems designed to manage electronic records. It is clearly laid out and structured. There are separate chapters covering longstanding records management concerns, such as classification schemes, controls and security, retention and disposal, capturing records, searching, retrieval and rendering, administrative functions. Other functions, such as the management of non-electronic records, workflow, electronic signatures, encryption, electronic watermarks, workflow, etc. are also touched upon. In addition, the specification covers non-functional requirements, such as ease of use, scalability and technical standards. There is a whole chapter on metadata requirements.Concepts and terminology are clearlyThe author

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The digital age is challenging the business model of professional organizations. Many of these are facing membership decline. Newer entrants to a profession fail to see the value yielded from significant membership fees especially as informal networks and the vast information resource of the Web appear to meet their needs. However, by embracing new technologies professional organizations have an armoury of weapons with which to fight for their growth and sustainability. This article provides insight into the power of the knowledge offer now being developed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). The blend of social technologies, well-structured information platforms and the professional insight and knowledge of its members is being used to create new products and to attract new members. Partnership with other organizations is widening access and is enabling CMI to develop its reputation and its role as the ‘first port of call’ for management and leadership development. Library and information skills are an essential contributor to this transformation.