{"id":4013,"date":"2015-05-01T11:12:00","date_gmt":"2015-05-01T18:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cultureisglobal.org\/?p=4013"},"modified":"2021-07-26T11:14:13","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T18:14:13","slug":"strategic-music-diplomacy-models-for-cultural-and-social-engagement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cultureisglobal.org\/staging\/strategic-music-diplomacy-models-for-cultural-and-social-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"STRATEGIC MUSIC DIPLOMACY: MODELS FOR CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ASPEN CULTURAL DIPLOMACY FORUM 2008
November 13 \u2013 15, 2008
Cercle de l\u2019Union Interalli\u00e9e
33, rue du Faubourg St. Honor\u00e9, Paris, France
Presented by Mehri Madarshahi
DOWNLOAD PDF <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is a time when music becomes the best politics. From its lilting cadences and bursts of staccato to its heartrending twins of harmony and melody, music can be a truly transformative medium and a powerful instrument of human connection.\u201d (Marie Wilson \u2013 The New York Times, 27 February 2008)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Challenge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past years, music and musical interactions have played a marginal role in contributing to an atmosphere of tolerance among people of various backgrounds and ethnicity.  This is despite the fact that the present global system integrating markets, nation states, and technologies is in need of a common language to provide  harmony, and a better understanding  among its diverse players. Hardly ever have we been able to experience or apply a systematic approach to the integration of music as a vehicle for intercultural communication in conflict situations or peace\u2013making and peace-building. Yet, as we witness in many situations the old formula of politics – the cerebral approach – is not working. Too often action is taken without regard to differences in language or culture or history, and such ignorance tends to foster failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If societies are able to learn to incorporate the new tongue of music into the diplomatic parlance, it might help illuminate possibilities previously unknown or traverse new avenues and bridges previously ignored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closest in this regard, are  the initiatives of Maestro Daniel Barenboim\u2019s East-West Divan Orchestra,  Yo-Yo Ma\u2019s Silk Road Ensemble,  the historic concert of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Lorin Maazel in Pyongyang, North Korea (with its enormous broadcast outreach of a 20 million audience) or Rostropovich\u2019s legendary concert at the Berlin Wall. During the Cold War, there were most valuable initiatives by individuals to bring Soviet opera companies, symphony orchestras and ballet troupes to the West. \u2013 What is the potential for music\u2019s power of healing? Maybe Valery Gergiev\u2019s August 2008 concert in South Ossetia could be analyzed. \u2013 Other examples could also be added from the world of jazz, pop and popular music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But can a single musical occurrence foster warmer ties between nations and even more, usher in a new era between countries? Certainly, the value of music should and can never be discounted, as it speaks the common language of the people – the heart. But it must also be nurtured, encouraged and supported not only by Governments, but also by committed philanthropists and individual and corporate donors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The objectives of the Forum<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore and reveal the vital role and opportunities of music to enhance and advance diplomacy with a view to contributing to cultural and social development and, ultimately, peace;
Examine and learn from past experiences: what has worked and what has not \u2013 and why;
Identify opportunities for philanthropists and organizations to initiate and promote such interactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The participants are invited to reflect and comment upon the various parameters which have a bearing on the potential of music for the complex task of conflict prevention, peace-making and peace-building. How can music help fortify harmony, understanding, unity and peace among peoples and cultures in a globalizing world, disproving the ill-advised notion of a clash of civilizations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The expected outcomes of the discussion are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a) To articulate proposals and recommendations for the effective introduction of the universal language of music into conflict resolution and peace-building with the objective of promoting harmony and peace in the globalizing world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b) To develop a strategy for interaction among diverse cultural, value and ethnic systems through music, musical experiences and perceptions;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

c)  To advance new strategies and identify sources of fundings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first ever international discourse on this subject was a symposium held at UNESCO on 26 November 2007, co-organised by the Association \u201cMelody for Dialogue among Civilizations\u201d UNESCO and North Eastern University. It sought to explore the role of traditional music and musicians in promoting cultural diversity and looked at the impact of globalization (particularly commercialization of musical industries) on the spirit of music and how it has led to modifications in the musical expressions around the world. Further, the symposium discussed how music has led to more respect and a better understanding of differences.  A follow-up meeting on \u201cMusic, Vector for Peace\u201d was organized by the Association \u201cMelody for Dialogue among Civilizations\u201d on 4 April 2008 in Paris. A set of practical recommendations resulted from this Forum which, addressed the educational institutions, governments, civil society and individuals urging them to promote an enhanced use of music at various level of societies in a meaningful manner. These results will be presented to an International Conference to be held at Northeastern University (NEU) in Boston in 2009 for further examination and adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the organization of the present meeting, the Association has teamed up for the first time with the International Music Trust Fund in advancing the agenda further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A number of new initiatives in connection with the strategic role of music are planned by the Association and one of its new partners,  the Aspen Institute for Diplomacy in the coming years.  In the course of these discussions we will explore further the potential of musical diplomacy in advancing sustainable development, conflict situations and peace building.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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