On October 18, 2014, in Donyang City, Zhejiang Province, China, the World Craft Council designated Yogyakarta as the Batik City of the World. The world's network of craft cities is built by the World Craft Council based on creative economy and answers to the growing concern of local governments, craftsmen and communities in cultural, social and economic development.

This First International E-Public Forum is part of 2021 International Online Summer Course on Jogja World Batik City. It focuses on creating cooperation and partnership among the world craft cities and cultural-creative industries in Asia – Pacific and Worldwide, and in response of the covid-19 pandemic. Our final goal of the Summer Course is to promote the balancing creative economy and as heritage saujana conservation strategies to foster Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on Jogja World Batik City.

This International Online Summer Course also celebrates World Heritage Day 2021, 18 April, with the theme this year is “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”. The World Heritage Day calls conservation activists all over the world to reflect, rethink, and re-examine existing narratives, and strive for conservation beyond what is visible: conservation efforts that synergize between culture, nature, and its landscape.

This event is especially dedicated to our loving patron Ibu Dr. Ghada Hijjawi Qaddumi, Past President of World Crafts Council Asia Pacific & President of World Crafts Council International, who passed away April 1, 2021. Ibu Dr. Ghada deeply cared for the world’s community of artisans, craftspersons and its environment, including Jogja World Batik City.

For those of you who didn't have the chance to take part in the event, you can watch it on our YouTube channel at BPPI Heritage.

LINK:https://youtu.be/ku_Cy7e47bM