An initiative for ethical fashion at the Don Bosco Boys Town in Nairobi
The International Trade Centre-Ethical Fashion Initiative has launched a green and inclusive fashion project called "Designing the Future" at Don Bosco Boys Town Nairobi. It is a project funded by the Italian Government that aims to involve micro-manufacturers and to enhance Kenya's potential as a fashion production centre. The Salesian Training Centre will serve as a design centre for the production of the products. The launch event was attended by numerous personalities, including Fr George Tharaniyil, Superior of the Salesian St John Bosco Province of East Africa (AFE); Alex Musembi, co-founder of "Africa Collect Textiles"; Lilian Kahiro, director of "Ushinde"; Giovanni Grandi, Head of the Regional Headquarters of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Nairobi; Mercy Wanjau, Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Kenya; Stephen Jackson, Representative of the United Nations in Kenya; Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy and Susan Mang 'eni, Permanent Secretary of the State Department for Medium and Small Enterprises. The collective voice of all stakeholders underlined the importance of collaboration between the Government, the Church and other development partners, in order to empower and enable job creation and sustainability for young people.