2008 UNESCO South-Asia Award of Excellence for Handicraft given to forty quality craft products

Out of a total of 167 handicraft product submissions in the South Asian region, the UNESCO South-Asia Award of Excellence for Handicraft has been awarded to 40 participants. The list of the successful 40 awardees are as follows: Bangladesh-1, Bhutan – 1, India – 27, Maldives – 1, Nepal – 2, Pakistan – 5, and Sri Lanka – 3 (see attached for further information).

The Jury for the 2008 UNESCO Award of Excellence met at the Harrison Hotel, Chennai on 24 and 25 September 2008 to review the 167 submissions received from South Asia. The range of submissions was highly diverse, including traditionally woven textiles, natural fibres, woodwork and ceramics and kept an international judging panel of experts in design, marketing and handicraft production, occupied for two days. This year saw an increase in the number of entries, reflecting an increase in the popularity of the programme. It is the first time that submissions have been received from all the countries concerned, including the first ever participation from Maldives.

Launched in 2002, the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicraft is a recognition granted to quality craft products that combine the excellence of traditional skills, design innovation and aesthetics. The programme was conceived to create consciousness of a higher quality standard among craft producers, thereby supporting the access of crafts peoples to the international market. This year’s submissions are reviewed against the key criteria of incorporating excellence, innovation, authenticity, marketability, eco-friendliness and social responsibility. By recognizing such attributes in craftsmanship, the programme aims to set quality standards, raise international awareness and strengthen market demand for Asian handicraft products.

Previously, called the Seal of Excellence, the present 2008 Award constitutes the 5th year of the programme, which was introduced to South-Asia region in 2004 and involves the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Originally piloted in Southeast Asia during 2002, in cooperation with the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA), the Award was subsequently introduced to South Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia, and since 2007 has expanded to West Africa, East Africa, and Central America and the Caribbean.

For more information on the UNESCO South-Asia Award contact:

Crafts Council of India,
Tel: (91-44) 24341456
Fax: (91-44) 24327931
Email: craft@satyam.net.in

Moe Chiba, Programme Specialist in Culture, UNESCO New Delhi
Tel: (91-11)26713000
Fax: (91-11) 26713001/2
Email: m.chiba@unesco.org

• Source:UNESCO New Delhi
• 15-10-2008