Dear Members,

In my last circular I had given a brief report on the 27th World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Regional Assembly held in Metsovo, Greece. Two important programmes took place in October 2004 before I handed over charge. One was woven around the Young Craftspersons Competition (YCC) - the Jewellery Convention titled Grass to Gold. Most of the countries of the Asia Pacific Region participated actively by sending entries to the YCC, taking stall space at the exhibition and enrolling delegates at the seminar. More...

The other important programme was the UNESCO South Asian Seal of Excellence Programme which was held in New Delhi around which 5 Product Development Workshops were held. In the Seal programme, entries were received from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. More...

The International Buyer – Seller Meet was also held to coincide with the International Handicrafts and Gifts Fair. These major events were interactive and held with the support of the office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, New Delhi which is apex body for craft development in India. More...

This was only a beginning of International participatory programmes. In the forthcoming events, which are being planned to coincide with the second UNESCO Seal of Excellence for 2005, we hope to attract participants from more countries.

UNESCO is planning to organize the programme "International Symposium cum Workshop on Natural Dyes" to be held during the 3rd week of February in 2006, Hyderabad, India . All details are available on the World Crafts Council of Asia Pacific Region website as well as the UNESCO website http://www.unescobkk.org/culture/craftseal More...

Please go through the enclosed detailed proposals and respond with relevant information. In my personal capacity as well as the past President of World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region, I have been asked to coordinate the programme with all the 5 regions of the World Crafts Council International. A sub-committee was formed at the Dhaka Assembly for gathering information on Indigo and other Natural dyes. The members of the subcommittee are Ms. Noorjehan Bilgrami of Pakistan, Mr. Edric Ong of Sarawak, Malaysia and Ms. Ruby Ghuznavi of Bangladesh. The sub-committee members will assist in collecting all the relevant data on all aspects for the implementation of this project. To coincide with this programme I request this sub-committee to plan an exhibition of products using indigo and other natural dyes at Hyderabad. They should later plan to take this exhibition to London and New York with the help of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, (New York) and Victoria and Albert Museum(London). I sincerely hope that the committee will coordinate all the necessary data and information in connection with this proposed International Seminar / Workshop.

Recently at Vientiane (Loas), the Hon. Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh emphasized the fact that the long-term partnership agreement which was signed recently would provide a new dimension to the relations between India and the 10 powerful ASEAN countries. This landmark document incorporates a plan of action for more intensive cooperation between New Delhi and the ASEAN countries in political economy, science, technology , health, culture and other key spheres. Since there is so much scope for conducting mutually beneficial programmes, I suggest that the President and the Asia Pacific board members approach the heads of ASEAN and SAARC countries to network with them and plan programmes in the area of handicrafts development and support to craft communities in all these countries. This is an opportunity which should not be missed by the APR Secretariat to organize mutually beneficial programmes for the Asia Pacific region.

I have had tremendous support from the Vice-Presidents and members of the region in carrying out my duties as President, WCC APR. I hope all the sub regions will continue to extend the same cooperation and support to the new president in all future activities and programmes. As you are aware, WCC-APR is the most active of all regions of World Crafts Council International and I am sure you will all ensure that the momentum is kept up.

There must a be continuous line of dialogue between the Vice President and each and every member in the sub regions. Everyone must collectively make an effort to enrol as members those countries which have not as yet joined the World Craft Council Asia Pacific Region family. Thus every member must not only strengthen existing ties but build bridges so as to enlarge the membership base as well as organize interactive programmes.

At the 27th World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Regional Assembly, Ms. Zakiah Binti Ahmad, Director General of the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation was unanimously elected as President of World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region for the term 2005 – 2008. With her vast experience I am sure she will be able to lead the Asia Pacific Region forward. I will be transferring all the papers and all correspondences henceforth should be addressed to :-

Ms. Zakiah Binti Ahmad,
Director General,
MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Perbadaman Kemajun Kraftangan Malaysia,
Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur,
Seksyan 63 – Jalan Conlay,
50450 Kuala Lumpur,
MALAYSIA
Tel : + 603 – 21613913
Fax: + 603 – 21620905
E mail : rugayah@kraftangan.gov.my , zuraida@kraftangan.gov.my

The hand book planned in 2003 at Bangladesh of selected mastercraftspersons of the region has not fully taken off. Only Bangladesh and India have the material ready. Mr. Edric Ong should be contacted immediately to complete this project.

The full details with forms for the UNESCO Crafts Prize 2005 for the Asia Pacific Region to be held on 5-5-2005 at Uzbekistan to coincide with the 28th Regional Assembly of the WCC APR is enclosed. More...

A suggestion from some members has been received for amending the memorandum of WCC APR so as to widen its scope of functioning. In some countries there seems to exist two active bodies, one governmental and the other NGO (and in most cases the NGO is a National Craft Council) with both bodies seeking equal status and full voting rights .

As this is a very important step which will foster , encourage and enhance the efforts of the WCC APR in bringing together key bodies that represent various craft interests at the country level, may I request that National Entities and all other categories of members give full thought to the matter and communicate their views to the President. If necessary, amendments can be made at the 28th Regional Assembly. I am also in the process of consulting the lawyer and shall send you his opinion with other details on this point .

May I request all members to respond by publicizing this event and ensure submission of large numbers of entries.

Before I sign off I would like to state that my association with WCC International began in Mexico in 1976 and that with the Asia Pacific Region in 1968 at the assembly held in New Delhi. During this long tenure of mine, I have been able to gain a lot of experience and knowledge in various aspects of craft development and other connected issues. If any of you require my services I am willing to extend my support.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best for 2005.

Thanking you once again

Yours sincerely

Vijaya Rajan
Regional President
Asia Pacific