IMC statement in favour of freedom of artistic expressions and creativity

Paris, 26 April 2018

“All persons enjoy the right to freedom of artistic expressions and creativity, which includes the right to freely experience or contribute to artistic expressions and creations, through individual or joint practice, to have access to and enjoy the arts, and to disseminate their expressions and creations.”¹

IMC Music Rights Champion Ramy Essam, “the singer of the Tahrir Square” who has been living in exile in Northern Europe since 2014, released a new song in February 2018. We were informed that the author of the song’s lyrics, Galal El-Behairy was arrested, beaten and tortured ². Charges against him include being a member of a terrorist group, spreading false news, the abuse of social-media networks, blasphemy, contempt of religion and insulting the military. An arrest warrant in the same case has been issued against Ramy Essam in absentia.

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Successful launch of the European Agenda for Music

More than 100 music sector stakeholders and representatives from the European Parliament and European Commission gathered in Brussels on March 21st to celebrate the launch of the European Agenda for Music (EAM). The European Agenda for Music was developed out of a continent-wide consultation launched by the European Music Council (EMC). Reaching out to the entire music sector, it identifies the sector’s collective needs and sets out priorities for the future. A powerful confirmation of the European music sector’s desire to join together in the promotion of a common cause, the Agenda details which directions to pursue in order to ensure a music sector that remains strong, fair, innovative and diverse in a rapidly changing world.

Michel Magnier, Director for Culture and Creativity in the Directorate-General for Education and Culture in the European Commission, described the Agenda as “rich and comprehensive” and highlighted the importance of the EMC’s and other music stakeholders’ contribution to, and advocacy for the European music sector. Mr. Magnier upheld the European Agenda for Music as a valuable and timely contribution to current discussions at the European Commission on a dedicated funding strand for music.

Helga Trüpel, Vice-Chair of the Culture and Education Committee in the European Parliament, spoke of the importance of supporting culture at a European level, affirming that “music in particular has the capacity to touch and move people. That’s why the European Agenda for Music is so important.”

Both Helga Trüpel and Michel Magnier emphasized that the Agenda comes at a crucial time for European cultural policy, with a new European Agenda for Culture and proposals for the future of EU funding programmes after 2020 coming out soon.

EMC President Ian Smith and EMC Secretary-General Ruth Jakobi spoke of the history and challenges of the European Agenda for Music. Stef Coninx from the Flanders Arts Institute and Chair of the EAM Steering Group turned the spotlight onto how the Agenda can be used by all members of the European music sector to institute change in their regional or national communities.

Past and present came together in two inspiring performances by cellist Benjamin Glorieux, who played with technological “assistance” to honour the European Day of Early Music and the 333rd anniversary of the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach.

German version of the Press Release here
French version of the Press Release here

#EUagenda4music

[email protected] Africa - Promoting the public value of intercultural dialogue for social cohesion in urban Africa

VERSION FRANCAISE

March 2018 – Eight African, European and international partners join forces with the European Union to create new opportunities and mobilise stakeholders to promote intercultural dialogue and cultural diversity in urban and peri-urban areas in Africa as drivers for social inclusion and sustainable human development.
[email protected] Africa aims to 1) support projects to develop safe and neutral spaces for intercultural dialogue, 2) strengthen multi-stakeholders national and transnational cooperation, capacity building and networking opportunities, 3) promote citizenship and intercommunity relations.
The project takes up the challenge raised by the African Union and its vision for 2063 for “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.”
Two calls for applications will select and support approximately 50 innovative on-the-ground projects (grants up to 60,000€ for each project) presented by public and private cultural operators, local governments, networks and associations representing marginalised groups from 15 African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Further information will be released on the project website starting May 2018.
[email protected] Africa is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by Interarts; Arterial Network; Centre for Fine Arts – BOZAR; Culture et Développement; Regional Centre for the Living Arts in Africa – CERAV/Afrique; Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust; International Music Council - IMC; Committee on Culture of United Cities and Local Governments - UCLG, together with their associated partners Africa Centre for Cities of the University of Cape Town, the Economic Community of West African States - ECOWAS, and the Centre for Linguistic and Historical Studies through Oral Tradition - CELHTO.

Mars 2018 – Huit partenaires africains, européens et internationaux unissent leurs forces à celles de l’Union européenne pour créer de nouvelles opportunités et mobiliser les parties prenantes afin de promouvoir le dialogue interculturel et la diversité culturelle comme vecteurs d’inclusion sociale et de développement humain durable en Afrique urbaine et péri-urbaine.
[email protected] Africa a pour objectifs 1) soutenir des projets qui favorisent le développement d’espaces de dialogue interculturel sûrs et neutres, 2) renforcer la coopération multi-partenariale nationale et transnationale, le développement des compétences et les opportunités de mise en réseau, 3) promouvoir la citoyenneté et les relations intercommunautaires.
Le projet relève le défi soulevé par l’Union Africaine et sa vision pour 2063 pour « une Afrique intégrée, florissante et pacifique, dirigée par ses propres citoyens et représentant une force dynamique dans la scène internationale ».
Deux appels à candidatures sélectionneront et donneront support à environ 50 projets innovateurs sur le terrain (subventions de 60.000€ maximum) presentés par des opérateurs culturels privés et publiques, des autorités locales, des réseaux et associations représentant des groupes marginalisés de 15 pays d’Afrique: Bénin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, République Démocratique du Congo, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigéria, Rwanda, Sénégal, Tanzanie, Togo, Ouganda et Zimbabwe.
Plus d’information sera publiée sur le site web en mai 2018.
[email protected] Africa est co-financé par l’Union Européenne et est mis en oeuvre par Interarts; Arterial Network; Centre for Fine Arts – BOZAR; Culture et Développement; Regional Centre for the Living Arts in Africa – CERAV/Afrique; Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust; International Music Council - IMC; Committee on Culture of United Cities and Local Governments - UCLG, avec ses partenaires associés: Africa Centre for Cities of the University of Cape Town, l’Economic Community of West African States - ECOWAS, et le Centre for Linguistic and Historical Studies through Oral Tradition - CELHTO.

EMC Newsflash 1/2018

Dear members and friends,

Heard about the EYCH2018 but want more details about it?

Don't worry, we'll be focusing in this newsflash on how to get involved in the European Year for Cultural Heritage.

We hope you had a great start in the New Year!

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African Music Council Newsletter 2018

Read the Newsletter in French or English.

IMC Executive Board elects Vice Presidents

Paris 23/11/2017

At its first meeting held at the IMC Secretariat in Paris, the IMC Executive Board decided to elect Sheila Woodward (USA) and Ye Xiaogang (China) as Vice-Presidents. They will assist IMC president Emily Achieng’ Akuno and IMC Executive Vice-President Alfons Karabuda in strengthening the IMC global network and improving its actions for the Five Music Rights.

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EMC Newsflash 10/2017

Dear members and friends,

With this newsflash we bring you the latest policy updates on the European Year for Cultural Heritage the European Commission and other items.
We send you our warmest season's greetings and wish you a good start into the New Year!

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European Agenda for Music – Have your say in the Open Online Consultation!

The aim in developing a European Agenda for Music (EAM) is to bring together the diverse voices of the European music sector to determine a common vision and strategy for the future. The European Music Council has worked intensely to consult and hear from as many voices as possible, across Europe and across the music sector - and continues to do so. In the European music sector, we have many different viewpoints and interests, but we share one common goal: a thriving music sector that continues to play an essential role in the European landscape.

We are contacting you now to seek your feedback on this draft. The final version of the EAM shall be released in spring 2018, after this consultation. We have created an online open consultation to give you the opportunity to comment on content and structure of the draft EAM. Please read the instructions on the first page of the survey carefully:

EAM Online Open Consultation