Indonesia exports in handicrafts have earned the UNESCO attention

Posted on 03 apr 2008

After a full investigation, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recognized that Handicrafts centers can empower Communities in Tourism Villages from Indonesia. The UNESCO Seal of Excellence for Handcrafted Products provides worldwide copyright for recognized products so that producers were encouraged to further enhance product design and its marketing.

The Seal of Excellence is not a competition with one winner, but is world acknowledgement of product quality in handicrafts based on tradition and art, creativity and innovation.

Ukus Kuswara, Director for Community Empowerment in the Department of Culture and Tourism, in a research showed the handicrafts export in tourism villages, and he added that over 30% of handicrafts which are produced in Bali and in Kasongan, Yogyakarta are bought directly by both domestic and international tourists, while 70% are exported or are sold through wholesalers.

In Indonesia many handicrafts centers are placed in Tourism Villages such as in Bali and Yogyakarta. But unfortunately these centers did not receive the attention they need from local government yet.

Bali and Yogyakarta are considered to be Tourism villages with a lot of handicraft center, that’s why they need proper access roads and infrastructure while their total environment should be kept traditional, away from modern architecture so as not to hurt its total ambience as centers of local culture, arts and handicrafts. Tourism Villages from Indonesia are well known also of their local culture, such as dances, music, and cuisine.

Ukus Kuswara, at a Workshop on Increasing Global Competitiveness of Indonesia’s Handicrafts and supports the Empowerment of Tourism Villages, said: "Tourism Villages are challenged to continue to adjust to market tastes, but since offering traditional wares only will not be very saleable. For this reason, villagers need training in product development, design, management and marketing, and strengthening of village organizations and handicraft associations."

UNESCO’s Seal of Excellence for Handcrafts, organized a seminar in which attended 50 participants from the Department of Industry, the Department of Trade, The Ministry for Cooperatives and MSE, and the Indonesian Commission for UNESCO as well as officials from the Department of Culture and Tourism, delegates agreed to step up their common synergy to improve creativity and competitiveness of Indonesia’s handicrafts in the world as well as empower handicraft communities, especially those living in designated tourism handicraft villages.