The Secretary of State for Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, Lahcen Saadi, reiterated the government’s commitment on Thursday in Meknes to continue enhancing training infrastructure, diversifying professional specializations, and strengthening youth integration in the handicrafts sector.
Saadi, who chaired the official inauguration of specialized programs in glass arts at the Institute for Traditional Arts, asserted that the establishment of these specialized programs represents a pivotal step in the national strategy for modernizing and qualifying professions in handicrafts. This initiative aims to respond to the expectations of sector professionals and empower young artisans with an innovative training framework.
In a statement to the press following a visit to the glass arts hub, which includes workshops dedicated to four glass professions—stained glass, blown glass, molten glass, and glass engraving—Saadi praised the establishment of this exemplary unit on a national level, adding that the glass-related handicrafts, which were at risk of extinction, will now be valued through training conducted in collaboration with international partners.
The government official indicated that this unit, established at the Institute for Traditional Arts, will enable trainees to specialize in glass arts, particularly traditional techniques. He commended the concerted efforts of all partners in ensuring the success of this project, along with the technical support provided by the European Centre for Research and Training in Glass Arts concerning the preparation of training programs, pedagogical engineering, and trainer development.
The Secretary of State for Handicrafts reported that this project solidifies the role of youth in the core of the national strategy for enhancing intangible heritage by equipping them with modern tools for skill transmission and development, thus ensuring the sustainability of this rich cultural heritage and enhancing its national and international visibility in accordance with contemporary standards of design, quality, and innovation.
The same source noted that the creation of specialized programs in glass arts at the Institute for Traditional Arts in Meknes constitutes a new pillar in the promotion of Moroccan handicrafts, aligning with an integrated and sustainable developmental vision. This qualitative project falls under the “Partnership” program, which is implemented as part of a collaboration between the Moroccan government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, through the Millennium Challenge Agency – Morocco.
The project has benefited from the support of prominent institutional and professional players, particularly the Handicrafts Chamber of the Fes-Meknes region and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, via the Federation of Handicraft Enterprises, in addition to the expertise of the European Centre for Research and Training in Glass Arts.
In May 2022, the Federation of Handicraft Enterprises, affiliated with the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, and the European Centre for Research and Training in Glass Arts signed a contract in Nancy, France, stipulating the training of pedagogical teams associated with the Institute for Traditional Arts in Meknes.
The training organized under this contract includes four professions related to glass: stained glass, blown glass, molten glass, and glass engraving.
The launch ceremony of the specialized programs in glass arts was attended, in particular, by the Governor of Meknes, Abdelghani Sabbar, representatives from local and regional councils, as well as professionals and heads of external departments.
