“Refugees are people just like you and me who have found themselves in a challenging situation. They don’t want to sit idle – they want to actively engage.”
MADE51 makes this possible. Initiated by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), MADE51 provides refugee artisans with a means to market their crafts worldwide. By collaborating with a global network of social enterprises, not only does MADE51 provide refugees around the world with a sustainable livelihood, but it also helps keep traditional craftsmanship alive.
MADE51’s first collection launched in Frankfurt this February. Comprising 12 product lines, the collection includes embroidered home textiles from Pakistan, wool kilims and cushions from Afghanistan, scarves and accessories from Egypt and bronze and copper trinkets from Burkina Faso.
Below, we caught up with Heidi Christ, UNHCR’s lead on MADE51, to gain greater insight into the inner workings of the MADE51 initiative.
In what ways does being a MADE51 artisan benefit refugees?
Refugees are stuck in indefinite limbo and have often lost their sense of freedom to work, play and live. MADE51 gives refugees an opportunity to earn an income through meaningful work. We strive to create sustainable business opportunities for refugees by involving them in the global supply chain.
When refugee participate in the global artisan value chain they can express their artistic traditions, preserve their cultural heritage, learn transferable business and vocational skills and restore their sense of dignity and self-determination. They also earn an income which reduces their dependency on aid and improves their self-reliance.
Read the full interview >> http://www.zetteler.co.uk/news/qa-with-made51