Thursday the 20th of December 2021 marked a debut of the educational dimension (reflections and knowledge exchanges) of the ongoing 7th edition of SIARC that is taking place at the National Museum since December 15th.
Chairing the inaugural session at the Exhibition Hall of the National Museum, Mr. TCHANA Joseph, Secretary General of MINPMEESA in his inaugural lesson stated that the reflection and knowledge exchange dimension of this year’s edition are aimed at reinforcing the capacities of craftsmanship through various outlined thematic sessions. To him, these sessions have the objective of enlightening crafts people on the Cameroonian public policies of craftsmanship put in place especially in terms of infrastructures such as the construction of the craft village and the elaboration of the legal framework and decisions that facilitate the better organization of the craft sector. He did not fail to mention that the inaugural session as well as other thematic sessions to follow suite will also serve as a channel to inform crafts persons on some support perspective envisaged towards fostering the sector such as the organization of galleries in the regional delegations, the revitalization of crafts villages as well as the creation of the chamber of craftsmanship amongst others.
It should be noted that, difficulties faced by the crafts people such as regrouping themselves, networking and the normalization of their products will also be brought to the lime light in the exchange sessions. While calling on participants to massively and attentively take part in the different workshops targeting various issues such as the Cameroonian handicraft landscape and competitiveness, marketing of handicrafts products and access to international markets as well prospects for the revitalization of the marketing system of handicraft products in Cameroon, he also indulged crafts persons in attendance to network, put into practice the lessons learned as well as spread the word to their collaborators who are not opportune to make it to the Fair.
Worthy to note that the reflection and knowledge exchange dimension of SIARC will run till the 22nd of December while the fair will shut its doors on the 24th of December 2021.