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FROM THE ANNALS OF HISTORY - Dr. Ghada Hiijawi-Qaddumi - President World Craft Council - Asia Pacific Region (2013-20)

Dr. Ghada Hijjawi-Qaddumi, President/World Craft Council – Asia Pacific Region (2013-2020) passed away on  1st April 2021.  I had met her when she was here for the World Ikkat Exhibition. I had written about it for the Hindu  Ikat - binding the world  and  Silkmark Magazine. This interview or her thoughts in general was published in the Silkmark Magazine. She was kind enough to share her thoughts on crafts in general.

   
WCC-Asia Pacific Region, an NGO established 1964, comprises 5 Regions, one of which is Asia Pacific Region.  Being the richest in traditional handicrafts it is the most active in launching programmes.  All events aim at spreading awareness (among artisans, and people in general), of the cultural value of handicrafts, and their economic and social importance in the life of communities, individuals and nations.
 
We believe that the "Pride" of artisans in their crafts, is an important part of their identity, has to be stressed being a tool of motivation for every artisan to revive, preserve, and promote his craft nationally or internationally.
 
Also, the aim (objective) behind Exhibitions, such as the current exhibition of "Ikat", Symposiums, Conferences, Seminars and Fashion shows, is to create platforms for artisans and designers to  meet, to exchange knowledge and to co-operate in setting plans,  for promoting crafts and design.

On the other hand, Asia Pacific Region (APR) Inter-Regional Projects are Comprehensive crafts events between Regions, and each event is dedicated to one specific Continent/Region where its member countries are represented by one artisan, in addition, to lecturers and experts.  Such comprehensive events are organized  in Kuwait, the Seat of current APR Presidency.  They are an example of the Asia Pacific Region, global reach out to craftspeople wherever they live.  To make this possible, the State of Kuwait - represented by the National Council for Culture, Arts & Letters (NCCAL), completely sponsors the international artisans, in terms of travel and accommodation, to encourage them to come to Kuwait to meet their peers on a common platform, demonstrate their skills, promote and sell their products internationally.
 
It is worth mentioning, in this occasion that, for spreading awareness and disseminating knowledge about handicrafts, Asia Pacific Region initiated the project of "Online Encyclopedia of Crafts in Asia Pacific Region", which will be launched soon in the coming months.
 
Lastly, the present Ikat Exhibition is one of the APR world projects. The Ikat exhibition is a cross cultural exhibition illustrating the age old textile technique stretching across some areas of the globe.   

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