Friday, 18 March 2022, Beirut (United Nations Information Centre in Beirut) – NAHNOO, a Lebanese non-governmental organization, launched today in collaboration with the UN Information Centre in Beirut (UNIC Beirut), a campaign titled “Our Crafts, Our Identity,” to advocate for the ratification of a law that organizes and develops the crafts sector in Lebanon in line with the market needs.
The campaign will be promoted on social media and local TV stations. It aims at advocating for a legal framework for the Lebanese crafts sector to ensure much-needed economic, social, and cultural protection for craftsmen and craftswomen. It also falls within the framework of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Lebanon is working on achieving, particularly SDGs 8 and 9 on promoting decent work, sustainable industrialization and innovation.
This sector is a key pillar of Lebanon’s identity in view of its connection to the country’s intangible cultural heritage inherited from past generations. However, it is currently confronting multifaceted challenges, including imports competition and increase in raw material prices, in addition to the fact that crafts are not provided with “Made in Lebanon” original certificates, and are not documented as cultural assets, leading to the loss of many. This is in addition to the reliance of craftspeople on the tourism sector that was affected by the multiple crises hitting the country.
Comprising of civil society organizations, crafts syndicates/cooperatives and crafts practitioners, the campaign’s team drafted a law proposal that defines and sets criteria for craftsmanship, and prescribes social, cultural, and economic protection for individuals engaged in this sector. The draft law was recently presented to the Lebanese Parliament with the aim to develop a common vision and a unified framework to safeguard and develop this sector.
Through its campaign, the NGO calls for the codification of 20 crafts practiced by Lebanese men and women. These crafts do not only contribute to reviving the economy, but also help in reducing unemployment by providing job opportunities for both individuals and households living in remote areas. According to a study by NAHNOO, at least 1,500 Lebanese households rely nowadays on revenues generated by the crafts sector.
In this context, Mohammad Ayoub, the President of NAHNOO, said this law aims to protect a key segment of the Lebanese population, one whose work is directly linked to Lebanon’s identity and economy, both of which are at stake. Ayoub added that the law is the first step by NAHNOO to help preserve the country’s identity and economy.
For her part, UNIC Beirut Director, Margo Helou, praised the collaboration between UNIC and NAHNOO, saying it comes in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals focusing on promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, decent work for all, sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation. Helou stressed the importance of organizing this sector “in order to protect it and invest in it in the future.”
In turn, the head of the Artistic Craftsmen Syndicate, Hassan Wehbi, described the law as a milestone for all craftsmen and craftswomen, saying it would elevate craftsmanship and provide economic, social, health and cultural guarantees to all craftspeople.
In 2007, Lebanon ratified UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which aims at safeguarding this heritage and strengthening the sense of belonging to a society. However, the ratification of the said convention will not be enough. More efforts should be exerted towards protecting this heritage, notably through legislation, effective policies for recognizing and enrolling craftspeople in the social security system, setting professional criteria, and supporting these people as is the case with people who work in other sectors.
About NAHNOO
NAHNOO is a youth-led non-governmental organization rallying volunteers across Lebanon to work towards an inclusive society through advocacy campaigns that promote: Good Governance, Public Spaces, and Cultural Heritage.
About UNIC Beirut
The United Nations Information Centre in Beirut (UNIC Beirut) is one of 59 offices around the world that constitute branch offices of the UN Department of Global Communications (UNDGC) in New York. UNIC Beirut serves Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Kuwait, and works closely with the UN family in Lebanon.