WORLD CRAFTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context; Recently, the World Crafts Council International (WCCI) selected Srinagar to map its craft clusters, paving the way for its final nomination as the World Craft City (WCC) from India this year.

World Crafts Council International (WCCI)

• About: It was established by Ms. Aileen Osborn Vanderbilt Webb, Ms. Margaret M. Patch, and Smt Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay at the 1st World Crafts Council General Assembly in New York on June 12, 1964.
• Formal Constitution: In November 2012, the organization was formally constituted as an International Association without lucrative purpose, at 17/02, rue de la Trouille, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
• Presidential Term: As per its Bylaws, the Presidency of the organization changes every four years.
• Headquarters: The current headquarters for the term (2021-2024) is located in the State of Kuwait.
• Affiliation with UNESCO: Since its inception, the World Crafts Council AISBL has been affiliated with UNESCO under Consultative Status for many years.
• Mission: Dedicated to fostering the preservation, promotion, and advancement of global craftsmanship and traditional crafts, the WCC-International aims to empower artisans, celebrate cultural diversity, contribute to sustainable development, and preserve languishing crafts from extinction.
• Objective: To strengthen the status of crafts in cultural and economic life, promoting fellowship among craftspersons, fostering cultural exchange, and promoting wider knowledge and recognition of craftspeople's work while respecting their diverse cultural and national backgrounds.