Misleading Use of WCC Name and Identity by an Unauthorized Group in the Asia-Pacific Region

 

The World Crafts Council AISBL International (WCC AISBL) has recently become aware that a group comprising certain current and former members of WCC AISBL has announced the formation of a new entity called the Asia Pacific Craft Alliance.”

 

WCC AISBL welcomes all initiatives that genuinely work to advance the interests of artisans and craft communities. However, such efforts must be conducted in a legitimate, transparent, and responsible manner — and never in a way that misuses, misrepresents, or exploits the name, identity, or programs of the World Crafts Council.

 

Unfortunately, the approach adopted by this group has not reflected these principles, and we believe it is our duty to alert our members, partners, and well-wishers to the following serious misrepresentations:

 

1- Misuse of a WCC-APR Board Photograph:

The launch of the so-called Asia Pacific Craft Alliance was accompanied by a photograph taken during the official WCC–Asia Pacific Region Board Meeting held in Taraz, Kazakhstan in 2024. This image has been wrongly captioned to suggest that those present were Board Members of the new Alliance. This claim is entirely false and misleading. The individuals in the photograph were attending a legitimate WCC-Asia Pacific meeting, and the Regional Board of WCC AISBL has no connection whatsoever with this newly announced alliance.

 

2. False Claims of Partnership with WCC-APR:

The homepage of the WCC-Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR) website has been unauthorizedly altered by individuals associated with this group to falsely state that WCC-APR is working in partnership with the Asia Pacific Craft Alliance.” This is a completely false assertion. WCC-APR is a recognized regional division of WCC AISBL, operating directly under its international governance structure. No partnership or collaboration has been approved, authorized, or recognized by WCC AISBL.

 

These actions constitute deliberate attempts to mislead the craft community, to create confusion regarding WCC AISBL’s structure and legitimacy, and to unlawfully appropriate the goodwill and reputation that WCC AISBL has built over the past 60 years of dedicated service to artisans worldwide.

 

WCC AISBL has therefore initiated strict legal action to prevent further misuse of its name, programs, and intellectual property. In the meantime, we urge our members, affiliates, and partners to exercise caution and to verify any communications or claims made in the name of Asia Pacific Craft Alliance or any similar entity.

 

For verification or clarification, please contact the WCC AISBL Secretariat directly at wcc.international.sect.ku@gmail.com.

 

With thanks for your continued trust and cooperation,

 

Secretariat 

World Crafts Council AISBL International (WCC AISBL)

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