Diamond News
Jewellery Congress in Istanbul 2009 (New Article)
CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, invited members of the jewellery, gemstone, precious metals and related industries to participate in the 2009 CIBJO Congress, that took place in Istanbul, Turkey, from Sunday, May 3, 2009, through Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
The 2009 CIBJO Congress was held at the Sheraton Istanbul Ataköy Hotel, which overlooks the Sea of Marmara and is positioned immediately alongside Ataköy Marina.
The congress was hosted by the Turkey Jewelry Association.
Held each year, the CIBJO Congress serves as the venue for the meeting of the World Jewellery Confederation’s General Assembly. This year the congress focused of the impact of the global financial crisis and the consequent strategies that needed to be adopted by the industry, as well as the issues of Corporate Social Responsibility.
A key event was roll out of the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF), which is the body created by CIBJO in cooperation with the United Nations, dedicated to formulating and delivering training programmes for all sectors of the world industry about the principles and practices of CSR in the jewellery business.
In the words of CIBJO’s president, Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, “the fact that Turkey is hosting the event is very significant. “Like no other market, the country represents a blend of East and West, and it has helped unlock the fast developing markets in the republics of the former Soviet Union, as well as in the Middle East. Turkey also represents a strong jewellery market in its own right, and it is an economical jewellery design and manufacturing centre within just a few hours flying time from Western Europe. It is exactly the type of centre that we need to look to in difficult times such as these.”
I was fortunate enough to attend this prestigious congress and was enthralled by the beauty and history that is Istanbul. From the Bosphorus cruise, which was the highlight of the Turkish cultural evening, on the first day of the 2009 CIBJO Congress, to the landmark Sultan Ahmed Mosque (or Blue Mosque) and the Hagia Sophia, to the traditional dervish dancers, and most of all the traditional cuisine
I was forced to purchases an extra suitcase just for the Turkish delight (Locum) I was way over the allowed weight at baggage check-in and that was not just my luggage…
Istanbul should be top of your list of things to do