Recovering from conflict through craft and community

In the weekend of 7 September 2019, Chiangmai city welcomes a line-up of inspiring speakers in the event organised by TEDxChiangmai. This year’s theme, Shake&Shift Through the Eyes of Women, explores how women’s ideas and actions have the power to shake things up and shift perspectives. Among other speakers, Aom is proud that Armeenoh Hayimasae, one of her leading stakeholders of the Crafting Futures programme at the British Council, will be presenting.

Armeenoh Hayimasae, Head of Wanita Enterprise for Communities, is a guest speaker and panellist at the TEDxChiangMai North-South Craft Panel & Exhibition by British Council. Armeenoh works to stabilise a network of women who are affected by the violent conflict in the deep south of Thailand through craft, generating income and better welfare for the community.

Wanita is receiving support from the British Council’s Crafting Futures Programme, which aims to empower women in the crafts sector in South East Asia for increased social and economic well-being. The programme revitalises cultural assets and endorses the future of craftsmanship in order to recover and sustain cultural identities. The programme provides inclusive opportunities through design, and social and creative enterprise development.

The British Council collaborates with the Innovative Hub of Prince of Songkla University (PSU) and designers from Applied Arts Scotland, a collection of skilled artists, designers, and craftsman from around Scotland and other countries. It also collaborates with PATAPiAN, a famous contemporary basketry brand from Thailand that maintains the identity of different cultures while bringing a contemporary twist. Together, they educate people from universities and local communities to work together.

Together with her team, Aom has been managing the Crafting Futures Thailand project since 2017. It is a heart-warming feeling to see Armeenoh, an active driving force in Crafting Futures Wanita and purely passionate person by nature has become an inspiration to many people.

Read more about Armeenoh and Wanita Social Enterprise here https://readthecloud.co/wanita-pattani-en/ or go to Wanita Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/wanitase