Vision

The National Archives Service is the most important national expert organization in the life cycle management of documentary information, part of the reasearch infrastructure and an information service facility that takes the increasingly international nature of the operating environment into account in all operations.

Values

The values form the cornerstone of the operations of the National Archives Service and guide the approach towards customers, partners and colleagues.

The values of the National Archives Service are based on internationally recognised human values and on the ethical principles of the archival sector and the research community.

The key values guiding the operations of the National Archives Service are: 

Openness and confidentiality 

The National Archives Service promotes free access by the public, transparency and administrative openness. The guidelines on records management, the training and the access to material are always in accordance with good information management.

Better availability of archives and records and efficient customer are key element in the operations of the National Archives Service.

Records and other materials are made available in accordance with regulations in force and terms and conditions of use agreed upon with private donors. Protection of privacy and strict compliance with the terms and conditions for use of private archives form the cornerstone to the trust shown towards the National Archives Service.

Impartiality

Records and other materials in the archives are the foundation for forming a picture of the history, culture and society of Finland at various periods. The acquisitions policy of the National Archives Service ensures that adequate amounts of impartial and informative material of various participants in society are available in addition to official archives.

The National Archives Service serves all users in an equal manner. Good customer service and key material available online create equal opportunities for all customers to use material irrespective of time and place.

Independence

Archival materials are part of the cultural heritage of Finland and the world. The responsibility to future generations for the acquiring of archival material, making it available and preserving it rests on the National Archives Service. All professional activities of the National Archives Service are performed regardless of political, religious, economic or any other objectives that could jeopardise confidence in the impartiality and independence of the National Archives Service.

The National Archives Service complies with the Code of Ethics for Archivists adopted by the International Council on Archives and the guidelines of the National Advisory Board on Research Ethics on good scientific practice and procedures for handling misconduct and fraud in science.