Folk art has formed over centuries, through the efforts of many generations of master craftsmen. It allows us to preserve the beauty which is organically united in each work that has been created over the years. It is not possible to separate it from humanity’s development processes, as it is a part of it. Folk art carries the traditions of its people through the generations. It holds society’s spiritual and creative potential within and makes an enormous contribution to the development of world culture.

The fundamental aim of the World Handicrafts Organization lies in the fact that the traditions and potential of handicrafts are provided completely for the service of the world community. We will strive for the preservation, support and development of folk traditions.

We have many tasks facing us:

• To create conditions for master handicraftsmen with the aim of advancing their output in global markets.
• To organise sharing of experience between representatives of the handicrafts industry.
• To popularise handicrafts and generate public interest in them.
• To study and disseminate the practice of state support for handicrafts.
• To organise fora, congresses, symposia, exhibitions, competitions and various other measures.
• To create a universal base for master handicraftsmen and other representatives of the crafts industry.
• To develop a system of professional staff training for the handicrafts industry.
• To create an optimum balance of interests between governments, the handicrafts industry and consumers.
• To organise a dialogue between representatives of the handicrafts industry and government bodies, cultural and educational institutions, the mass media and other interested parties.
• To introduce advanced technologies for the modelling and manufacture of handicrafts.
• To create a global Internet handicrafts museum.
• To analyse the current status of the handicrafts industry on an on-going basis.

The World Handicrafts Organization is open to all those who wish to take part in its work. Do not hesitate to become our associates.

Once we have united our forces, we can attain the goals ahead of us and meet the challenges which, without any doubt, will promote the growth of the global handicrafts industry.