Quarterly Scientific-Research Goljaam

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Haji Pour Shoushtari A H. Authenticity seal of UNESCO for handicrafts. goljaam 2007; 3 (6 and 7) :155-172
URL: http://goljaam.icsa.ir/article-1-373-en.html

Productivity aims at improvement of the quality. Quality improvement in turn contributes to productivity. There are several means to improve the handicrafts and allow people to improve the quality of their products. Meanwhile handicrafts are being considered important from social, cultural, art and economical point of view. It contributes to local economies and eradication of poverty. By providing new market opportunities, the seal program aims at enabling handicraft producers to establish sustainable livelihoods. This will be achieved through developing networks of handicraft producers and customers, including the higher - end of the market, and through exhibitions and trade fairs. The UNESCO Seal of Excellence for handicrafts is based on the criteria such as: Excellence, Authenticity, Innovativeness, Social responsibility (Fair, labor law, Eco - Friendly) and marketability. They encourage artisans to produce handicrafts using traditional skills, patterns and themes in an innovative way in order to ensure the continuity and sustainability of these traditions and the skills. On the other hand, creativity is man’s most widely and evenly distributed resource. All people seek outlets for self - expression and have the capacity to create objects to uplift the spirit and enhance peoples’ lives. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promotes a wide range of activities to preserve and develop both traditional and contemporary crafts. This has included a Ten - Year plan of Action for the Development of crafts in the world 1990 - 2000 the annual UNESCO crafts prize to recognize the creative talents of craft producers, as well as programs to identify and bestow on the worlds most out standing artisans the title of “ Human Living Treasure.” The seal of Excellence for Handicrafts program was established in 2001 by UNESCO (UNESCO Office Bangkok) in collaboration with the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) for piloting in Asia. Referred to as the “SEAL”, this program aims at ensuring the continuation of traditional knowledge and craft skills which help to preserve cultural diversity in the region. Since 2006 the SEAL program has been launched globally with the SEAL being introduced in Africa, Europe and America. The Asia program has expanded over the last few years to south Asia (2004), central Asia (2004) and was launched in East Asia in 2006. It should be mentioned that 30 countries in Asia are now taking part in this initiative. This growth has been accompanied by a new region - wide branding and increased promotion and distribution channels.
For the first time Iran took part in the 2007 seal program session, held in Dushanbeh, Tajikistan from 24 - 27 September, received 6 seal certificates for the Iranian handicrafts articles. Due to the importance of the program (Seal), this paper is an attempt to take a step for further introduction of the SEAL in order to prepare grounds for better participation of the relevant capable products in the future sessions.