Did you know, Handmade in Britain founder Piyush Suri is involved in a fantastic project working with craftswomen in conflicted areas in South Asia?
The Culture and Conflict Project, led by Dr Neelam Raina, Associate Professor International Development and Design and Post Conflict Reconstruction Expert/ Gendered Livelihoods, running in partnership with LSE and Middlesex University, supports locally valued practices of craft making and works at generating sustainable incomes for women who live in fragile and conflict-affected areas of South Asia. This works by bringing training and other resources for learning to the women in these areas through local partnerships. The project involves 4 countries – Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and has been going on for 5 years now.
Piyush is a design consultant to the project, providing design training and appropriate market-based advice, making the partnership chain more robust and real, and allowing the project to create real-time impact in the spaces in which it operates. One of the other aims of Culture and Conflict is to move forward in creating a more equal society in Southern Asia where gender and pay are concerned.
You can learn more about this inspiring project at Handmade Oxford, where Piyush Suri and project leader Dr Neelam Raina will be providing a talk that’s FREE to all ticket holders. The talk will take place on Saturday 17th June at 3 pm. It’s not to be missed!
Not only will there be a talk, but The Culture and Conflict Project will have its own stand (E12) where you can purchase the fantastic handmade products made by the women the project is supporting. There will be a wonderful selection of scarves, cushions, rugs, blankets, dresses, and ceramics, and every purchase will help create sustainable incomes for female craft-makers in fragile areas of South Asia.
You can follow the project on Instagram @thecultureandconflictproject