International Music Council

In session I entitled "SUPPORTING MUSICAL DIVERSITY", speakers and project presenters will demonstrate how UNESCO, governments and music organisations are implementing the purpose of the UNESCO Convention for cultural diversity. Session coordinator and IMC President Richard Letts has invited speakers who will present an array of very interesting insights and projects in support of musical diversity around the world.

Session II constitutes a high-level panel entitled "THE CHANGING PARADIGMS OF CULTURAL POLICY". This panel will offer cultural policy perspectives from different regions of the world.

Forum session III, "RIDING THE DIGITAL TIGER", confronts the issues facing the global music industry as digitisation overturns the old paradigms. Coordinator Peter Rantasa, Executive Director of music austria and IMC Vice-President, has again gathered a group of industry leaders with sometimes strongly contrasting perspectives on possible futures.

"MUSIC EDUCATION FROM ADVOCACY TO POLICY" is the title of Session IV which deals with the challenge of creating and managing a global network and partnership system. The coordination of this session is in the competent hands of Liane Hentschke, ISME Past President, who expects speakers from five continents.

In Forum session V "CHALLENGES TO ART MUSIC", speakers will attempt to answer the following question: In a world overrun by celebrity and superficiality, is there an audience for the disciplines and profound truths of art music? We look forward to a lively debate facilitated by coordinator Timo Cantell from the Sibelius Academy in Finland.

Mohamed Zinelabidine, Director of the Tunis City of Culture, will lead through the presentations about Tunisian and Arab music, to be given by selected musicologists and musicians of our host country. A unique opportunity for many of us to widen our horizons.

The inaugural IMC MUSICAL RIGHTS AWARDS will be presented to laureates on October 18, late afternoon. Three Musical Rights Awards will be conferred and six programs will receive a Special Commendation.

Last but not least, detailed information about the artistic programme – day by day – as well as about musical events around the Forum dates is available in the Forum section of the IMC website.

To access all Forum-related information, please go to the Forum section on this website.