The World Crafts Council (Europe) will host their annual General Assembly in Dublin Castle on 8 June, followed by the Year of Craft 2011 Public Conference, on 9th June. 2011.

The conference, Craft Conscious: Re-shaping global futures in the innovation age, will address issues, opportunities and themes of common concern over the two days at Dublin Castle. The Crafts Council of Ireland are delighted and honoured that President Mary McAleese has confirmed that she will address conference delegates.

Keynote speakers include Edmund De Waal, world renowned potter and author of The Hare With Amber Eyes and Leonardo Bonanni,  who teaches the ‘Future Craft’ programme at MIT, and is a world leader in sustainable design of products and supply chains.

The accompanying conference programme will present exhibitions of work across Dublin by Irish and European makers and will include a range of cultural activities for visiting delegates. Additional speakers to be announced.