Katlijn Vanhee is Information Management Advisor at the Agency for Facility Operations of the Flemish Government
Since March 2025 I’m a new member of the Digital Archives Flanders team. The DPC Members Forum and Networking Event Europe, taking place over two-days in The Hague, was a very nice experience for me. The DCP not only brings experts together and encourages the sharing of knowledge, but also creates the opportunity to discuss our views and perspectives in an open and respectful atmosphere. The explicit emphasis to the Chatham House Rule was very refreshing for me. It created a warm blanket of openness, respect and positivity… something that’s not always easy or obvious in these turbulent times.
Group picture at the KB National Library of the Netherlands, our host for the DPC Members Forum
Photo by Jacqueline van der Kort; Beeldstudio KB
This event made clear again that every organisation faces similar challenges and problems. In a plenary session where the group talked about digital preservation topics of interest, the Digital Preservation Management Model was mentioned. The ‘Three-Legged Stool’ (Kenny and McGovern 2003) really stuck with me: technology, organisation and resources.
It was also alarming to hear how independent research can come under pressure in certain countries. During one of the Forum sessions, participants discussed the recent cuts to UN funding and the significant implications.
This event reminded me how important it is to take time to share and reflect together, to build bridges and to foster collaboration. It gave me the opportunity to get to know my colleagues from across Europe and even worldwide a little bit better, both formally and informally.
An impression of the first day. Photos by Jacqueline van der Kort; Beeldstudio KB
Therefore, it is also worth thanking Angela Puggioni, Sarah Middleton, Amy Currie, Michael Popham and Jeffrey van der Hoeven for organising this amazing edition. Also many thanks to Jeffrey and the team at the KB, National Library of the Netherlands for the warm welcome, the guided tour and the glimpse behind the scenes - a rare view of the archives behind closed doors ...
And let’s not forget the excellent catering between sessions - the delicious food gave us a welcome boost of energy throughout the day!
In any case, you can definitely expect to see me at the next European session.