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Diabetes represents a global disease that preoccupies millions of individuals worldwide. Just in Europe, there are about 60 million people suffering from diabetes, which is strikingly around 8% of the European population. Many patients struggling with the condition also risk developing various complications. A very common one is the so-called Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS), which is closely linked to the use of inappropriate footwear. Therefore, it is important that the relevant implicated stakeholders, such as footwear designers and technicians, shop assistants, healthcare workers, caregivers, patients and their families have the necessary knowledge and skills to produce appropriate footwear, advice and assist diabetic patients.

Like a pair of old shoes, Europe’s footwear industry is aging. The sector, while an example of European excellence and economic success, faces two main challenges, namely an aging workforce and a lack of attractiveness of the sector for younger generations based on misconceptions from the past. In their constant efforts to promote the European footwear industry and attract newcomers, the European Footwear Confederation and a group of European experts launched virtually last week the Erasmus+ SHOEGAME project, “Developing Key Competencies in VET for the Footwear Industry through Serious Games”, based on the development and implementation of a serious game. With such an innovative and fun educational approach that also considers the upgrade of curricula with environmental and digital skills, children and new VET students can learn about the occupations but also values of the footwear industry. In this way, it is expected that the SHOEGAME will equip younger generations with soft and transversal skills, particularly with environmental, digital and technological skills.

The sector came together in Düsseldorf. This brief statement in fact aptly sums up the industry event under its new name ‘SHOES DÜSSELDORF’ – because all important buyers were on site meeting with over 600 footwear brands and featuring all relevant brands from Europe (among others from Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Turkey). Add to this the near perfect organisation care of the host Igedo Company once again demonstrating how both practical (short distances) and inspiring (atmosphere and open-plan, inviting stand construction) professional trade fairs can be nowadays. Top this off with the well-known atmosphere of Areal Böhler, which provided the right backdrop for a more than satisfactory trade fair in bright sunshine.

The events confirm their importance as a unique business and training platform Over the five-day period, a total of 29,468 trade visitors from both Italy and abroad attended the four trade-fairs dedicated to fashion and accessories. MICAM, the International Footwear Exhibition, MIPEL, the event dedicated to leather goods and fashion accessories,