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Olga Rufins Machin Anabel Álvarez Paz SUPPORT FOR NEW National Programme Officer and Programme assistant of the Coordinator of the Portal of Culture UNESCO Regional Office for of the UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean, Havana, Cuba DECENTRALIZATION Caribbean, Havana, Cuba

he UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Latin including 46 women. This diagnosis provided the basis for the America and the Caribbean, based in Havana, selection of the artisans to be included in the programme, INITIATIVES AND T since October 2009 has participated in the Joint and allowed characterize the state of the productions and the Programme “Support for new decentralization initiatives and identification of the next actions. This methodological guide production stimulation in Cuba,” within the framework of can be implemented in any territory.

the Programme Area Private Sector and Development, an ALVAREZ RUFINS/A. O. ©UNESCO/ initiative that was developed with the support of the Fund Later, under the slogan “For a Better Product,” eight PRODUCTION for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals workshops were organized for 219 artisans and local directors, (MDG-F). including 156 women. These training actions made it possible to update design and quality criteria, diversify production, UNESCO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the introduce the use of environmentally friendly fixing agents United Nations (FAO), under the leadership of the United and natural dyes from local plants and substances, and STIMULATION IN CUBA Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have joined involve artisans who did not usually work with natural fibres forces with numerous local and national counterparts. The as well as unemployed women. programme, which will end on June 30, 2013, complements the efforts of the Cuban authorities in achieving the MDGs, To guarantee the sustainability of the programme in these and is closely linked with the area Local Human Development municipalities, the capacity improved management models under the United Nations Development Assistance for the collection and preparation of raw materials, and Framework for the 2008-2013 period. diversified the use of such materials. The beneficiaries became familiar with the development of natural-fibber yarns

This joint programme is being developed in the Cuban ALVAREZ RUFINS/A. O. ©UNESCO/ to cut back on imports and with new weaving and knitting municipalities of La Palma (Pinar del Río province), Martí Fibres coloured techniques to develop a wider range of products. (Matanzas province), (Sancti Spíritus province), Río Cauto with natural dyes (Granma province), and El Salvador (Guantanamo province), all In addition to the training, the working conditions were identified by the Government of Cuba. The programme aims improved and tools and means of production were supplied, to develop the technical services provided by the municipal generating an increase in efficiency, quality, quantity, variety governments, as well as to improve their management skills of manufactured goods and jobs, and a higher individual to incorporate the private sector (cooperatives and individual and social welfare. These initiatives increase the economic producers) into local development through increased benefits, generate jobs, and improve individual and social and sustainable diversification of the production of goods quality of life. and services by the private sector and through access by the local population to such goods and services in these Under this process, the governing bodies related to craft municipalities. activities in the country were advised and supported in the development of a classification methodology. In these endeavours, UNESCO is being supported by the International Relations Division, the Programmes Division and Following the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, with the the National Handicrafts Centre at the Cuban Arts and Crafts resources provided under the Joint Programme and within the Foundation, all of them under the umbrella of the Ministry framework of the process of updating the economic model in of Culture of Cuba, by the Local Industries Division and the Cuba, the artisans working at the workshops located in Sempré National Design Office under the Ministry of Industry, as well and Mariñan, El Salvador municipality (Guantánamo province) as by the National Botanical Garden under the Ministry of planned to establish a non-agricultural cooperative to increase Higher Education (MES). efficiency and welfare.

During the first phase of analysis and validation of a The programme shows that the effective integration of craft methodology for the diagnosis of local cultural traditions activities into local strategies contributes to a decentralized and the state of the creative industries in each municipality, and sustainable development, ratifying the importance

©UNESCO/ O. RUFINS/A. ALVAREZ RUFINS/A. O. ©UNESCO/ there were eleven workshops held, involving 151 people, of incorporating the cultural dimension in the local development. C&D