Asia/Africa Cooperation Programme

1. Objectives
   Artisans, their products and the "artisan way of life" are endangered in this era of increased globalization and marginalization of indigenous groups and traditional communities. Artisans embody and represent an organic bond between nature, culture and human artifacts and are a result of the collective consciousness of sub-cultures and ethnic groupings. Unfortunately, they are among the poorest and the most disadvantaged groups, and their very livelihoods and existence is threatened. The objective of this project is to support the artisans' individually creative, gender sensitive, socially just and ecologically sustainable way of life. The project will support the development and marketing of artisan products from Asia and Africa to consumers in developed countries, provide ordinary people with livelihood opportunities and dignity in their local economies, and help them to develop into private sector entrepreneurs. Thus, the project will help poor artisan communities to cope with and take advantage of globalization for their own benefit, and in the process influence consumers' tastes towards environment friendly artisan-made products. It will help further a development paradigm which is less consumption-oriented, more culturally attuned and more environmentally aware.
2. Activities / contents
   Building upon the already established network of artisan organizations and associations in Asia and Africa, and product development work being done by them (through previous valuable support provided by UNV), the project will undertake:
   1. International and national media campaign:
      • A 20-minute film on artisans, their way of life and ecologically friendly products for worldwide broadcast on BBC Television, CNN, Discovery Channel, Television for the Environment (TVE), Azimuth, Japan Television, national TV stations, and cinema halls
      • 15 short films/audio visuals on artisans and products from Asia and Africa, including from each participating country
      • short spots (one to two minutes) on international and national TV to raise consciousness about artisans
      • Print publications on artisans in each country and sub-region
      • Attractive bi-monthly bulletin focussing on artisan issues published and distributed to organizations, companies and interested individuals across the world
      • Celebrity speeches and appearances at artisan events
   2. Annual workshops in each participating country and one Asia-Africa joint meeting per year to plan and strategize on artisan issues.
   3. Comprehensive data base on artisan groups, organizations and products, especially on endangered indigenous artisan communities in participating countries
   4. Presentations on artisans' problems, needs and required policy changes at various national as well as multilateral fora, including at ILO, UNESCO, OECD, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, Commonwealth Foundation and at multinational corporations with a view to influencing policy makers' opinion in favour of artisans' livelihoods.
   5. Participation in the working group on Customs Codification for Crafts established by ITC/UNCTAD/WTO.
   6. Preparation and adoption of a document for international collaboration on the artisan sector.
   7. Asia-Africa Artisans' web site set up.
   8. Product catalogues prepared annually and distributed to boutiques, fashion houses, and stores in developed countries (also on web site)
   9. Linkages established with existing craft marketing outlets in each country with links to retail stores in developed countries.
   10. Product improvement training (by group/category e.g. ceramics, pottery, jewellery, leather, textiles, bamboo, etc) conducted three times a year in each participating country and at Japanese craft centres
   11. Leadership workshops (including gender empowerment) conducted for artisan groups in each country in collaboration with existing poverty alleviation programmes; participation monitored in local and national policy and planning discussions.
   12. At least 6 exchange/study tours per year undertaken among Asian and African artisan groups (at least 120 people/leaders per year) and with Japanese artisan groups to learn how they coped with globalization and the market economy
   13. 200 artisan groups provided access to micro-credit, entrepreneurship support and other services like health, literacy, housing, clean water and sanitation through ongoing poverty alleviation programmes, collaboration with local banks and through group savings and loan schemes
   14. Develop craft tourist circuits in each country in an effort to sensitize tourists to the artisan way of life, to buy artisan products directly from artisans and get an enhanced status in society.
3. Expected outcomes / impacts
   The project will promote cooperation, learning and experience sharing among artisan groups, the media, private sector, Governments and civil society organizations in Asia, Africa and Japan. A unique feature will be lessons learnt from Japan on how Japanese society has managed to harmoniously blend aesthetic, cultural, work and material values. International and national policy makers' opinions will develop in favour of artisans and their needs. Use of modern marketing techniques and technologies for improved artisan products will increase the incomes and economic growth of artisan groups, making their lifestyles more attractive. Artisan groups' capacities will have been strengthened to collectively voice their concerns and take part in policy and planning discussions at the international, national and local levels. Asian and African artisans will have access to micro-credit and other development services. The status of women artisans will be enhanced through particular attention to women artisans' and their children's needs. The cultural heritage of Asia, Africa and Japan will promoted to the international community.
4. Features in line with the Agenda for Action
   The project proposal is in line with the Agenda for Action's primary theme of poverty reduction through accelerated economic growth and sustainable development. The project will contribute towards the effective integration of African (and Asian) economies into the global economy through entrepreneurship development, modern marketing and product development. It will create an enabling environment for broad-based economic growth. Cooperation with multinational and national companies on the artisans' own terms will enable them to take advantage of the opportunities arising from globalization.

Ms. Naheed Haque, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UNDP
RBAP/14 September 1998