The 'Irthi' Council is building comprehensive production systems that contribute to empowering craftswomen, developing skills, and expanding international partnerships. The experience of the 'Irthi Council for Contemporary Crafts' over the past 10 years reveals that the female human capital in crafts is a comprehensive developmental force. 'Irthi' adopts an integrated model that combines empowerment, innovation, international partnerships, and skill transfer, reinforcing the idea that investing in the craftswoman is an investment in cultural, social, and economic capital simultaneously, and that building a sustainable economy requires human production systems that believe in identity and produce through it. The 'Irthi' Council marks the passage of a decade since its launch through more than seven international and local events in Sharjah, London, Basel, and Moscow, in addition to signing five new strategic partnerships, launching production groups that reflect the blending of traditional aesthetics with contemporary innovation, and organizing workshops and discussion sessions that bring together a select group of design and cultural craft experts. Through documentation and publication programs such as 'Palm Fibers', 'Recipes for the Future', 'Engineering Culture', and various educational workshops totaling over 60 in 2024, benefiting approximately 1,400 individuals, 'Irthi' is working to expand the scope of crafts to become part of the knowledge and innovation economy, and rebuilds the relationship between humans and their heritage environment from a contemporary perspective. H.E. Reem bint Khater, Director General of the Council, stated: 'Since the Council's establishment under the patronage of the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the 'Irthi' Council for Contemporary Crafts, we have believed that Emirati craft heritage holds in its essence a force capable of supporting both economic and social development, serving as an original resource that enhances identity and generates sustainable opportunities for women and society. Guided by this noble mission, the 'Irthi' Council works to build comprehensive production systems that contribute to empowering craftswomen, developing skills, and expanding international partnerships, making society a genuine partner in the comprehensive development journey we aspire to in the United Arab Emirates.' 'Irthi' has established strategic international partnerships with world-renowned design houses such as Bulgari, Cartier, Design Miami, and Aspree, placing Emirati crafts in a professional global context, and these partnerships have helped highlight Emirati crafts at prestigious international exhibitions. Reem bint Khater:
