On the occasion of the Italian Design Day, the Embassy of Italy in Yangon together with the Chamber of Commerce Italia – Myanmar are proud to welcome and support the launch of a joint project between IED – Istituto Europeo di Design and the Myanmar Bamboo and Rattan Entrepreneurs Association.
Students of Istituto Europeo di Design di Torino – connecting with members of the Myanmar Bamboo and Rattan Entrepreneurs Association- will utilize sustainable resources and develop innovative products and value-added designs starting from the traditional know how and craftsmanship of Myanmar producers in bamboo and rattan sector.
The result of the student’s work will enable local producers to acquire new ideas and designs developed in one of the most iconic Italian Design schools, nurturing new global talents. Through the projects they will be able to present products that can increasingly meet the demand on international markets and have a cross-contamination with Italian young designers.
Through the project, the Embassy of Italy in Yangon and the Istituto Europeo di Design di Torino are aiming at supporting the economic resilience of small scale producers, mainly located in rural areas of Myanmar and to give them a possibility to access global markets and new customers, notwithstanding the critical political and economic context of the Country.
IED | ISTITUTO EUROPEO DI DESIGN
Istituto Europeo di Design was founded in 1966 based on Francesco Morelli’s extraordinary vision. Today, IED is the only School of Higher Educationin the creative field to have preserved its Italian cultural references over time. Every year, IED launches innovative educational projects in the fields of study of Design, Fashion, Communication and Management, Arts and Restoration and Visual Arts, developing forms of learning and new models for interpreting the future. Internationally recognised, IED is a network that spanning over 3 countries: in Italy, in Spain and in Brazil. The IED Group’s educational offer includes Undergraduate courses (First Level Academic Diplomas, Título Superior en Diseño, Diploma de Bacharelado, BAH and IED Diplomas), Postgraduate courses (First Level Master and IED Master) and Continuing Education Courses. IED relies on a network of more than 3.000 lecturers, active in their respective fields of reference, with whom it collaborates continuously to ensure the perfect performance of the training activities of its locations.
Myanmar Rattan and Bamboo Entrepreneurs Association (MRBEA)
Myanmar Rattan and Bamboo Entrepreneurs Association (MRBEA) is a non-government organization aimed at developing sustainable market opportunities for producers and policy framework for rattan and bamboo sector across Myanmar. MRBEA and local growers are therefore cooperating to boost the sustainable and eco-friendly rattan and bamboo value-added industry development in Myanmar.
Counting a total of 363 members, 77 company members and 286 personal members, MRBEA specializes in handicrafts and has been actively involved in vocational training, planting and harvesting and in women’s empowerment.
The MRBEA continues to promote export markets for its members to enhance the livelihoods and market access of local entrepreneurs, securing source of income for the communities and reducing poverty in villages.
