UNESCO Approach to Crafts

Abstract

This chapter demonstrates how and why UNESCO was the first UN Agency to forecast, three decades ago, the socio-cultural and economic role of crafts in a globalized world and within the creative economy. On the basis of relevant references to international conventions and conferences, the chapter argues that the originality of the UNESCO approach lies in its recognition of the dual role crafts as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and of the creative industries side by side with the establishment of linkages between designers and artisans. This implies a comprehensive policy based on the three pillars of coordination, complementarity and cooperation among all the concerned stakeholders from public and private sectors.