The European Crafts Alliance (ECA) and the newly established Asia Pacific Crafts Alliance (APCA) have signed a cooperation agreement to protect, promote, and evolve craft traditions and capacity through joint collaborations, innovations, and advocacies.
While the ECA and the APCA operate in different regions, both are strongly aware of the global nature of craft practices and the shared commitments of the organisations, communities, and individuals dedicated to supporting them.
We recognise that building alliances and presenting a united voice is extremely important when advocating for supportive government policies and strengthening the capacity of the craft sector, not just in Europe, but around the world. This is why this agreement is based on a set of shared values, like respectful behaviour, independence of both organisations, meaningful dialogue and democratic principles. They form the basis for this strategic relationship between our organisations that is both practical and principled.
— Ana Cristina Mendes, President of the ECA Board of Directors
The ECA and APCA work directly with a wide range of organisational members, from government-funded bodies to non-profit groups and business enterprises. The members of both organisations share similar long-term challenges, and this partnership aims to find effective ways to tackle them.
Key goals of the partnership include:
- Sharing methods and systems for supporting member organisations to professionalise their staffing and services;
- Advocating to governments and international organisations for stronger policies and initiatives that benefit the craft sector;
- Exchanging research outcomes and case studies relating to successful policy and strategy implementation;
- Endorsing each other’s programmes;
- Promoting education and training initiatives, especially those aimed at young people and encouraging the intergenerational transfer of knowledge.
The strategic cooperation opens a new chapter for European crafts on the world stage. It will allow us to strengthen ties with peers from other parts of the world, gaining knowledge, learning new approaches and widening our network of colleagues. The ECA and its members are no longer a European voice, but have become part of a global conversation that can in return make the impact of the European craft sector even stronger at home.
— Laura Miguel Baumann, ECA Secretary General
Over the next few months, the two organisations will begin a series of conversations and share resources, such as sectorial researches and advocacy papers. The working relationship promises to grow through time, including facilitating joint participation in events.
Find out more about the Asia Pacific Crafts Alliance and follow them on Instagram.
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