Musicians without Borders was founded in 1999 and registered as a charitable foundation in 2000. The motto of the foundation is “war divides, music connects” (Musicians without Borders, 2017). This motto is reflective of the purpose of the foundation, which is to unite people and communities through music. Musicians without Borders has established a range of music programs in numerous war-torn communities including Soy Música in El Salvador, Mitrovica Rock School in Mitrovica and Kosovo, Music Bridge in Northern Ireland, Palestine Community Music in Palestine, Rwanda Youth Music in Rwanda, Welcomes Notes in Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, and Community Music and Health in Uganda (Musicians without Borders, 2017).
Laura Hassler, the founder and director of Musicians without Borders, studied cultural anthropology and music at Swarthmore College. She worked for the Friends (Quaker) Peace Committee and the Committee of Responsibility on Vietnam in Philadelphia, Thich Nhat Hahn’s Vietnamese Buddhist Peace Delegation in Paris, and the US Fellowship of Reconciliation in New York in the 1970s. In 1977, Hassler moved to the Netherlands where she founded a World Music School and later founded Musicians without Borders in 1999 (Musicians without Borders, 2017). This essay explores the Mitrovica Rock School initiative, which was established in August 2008 with the aim of providing a “neutral platform for youth from both sides of ethnically divided Mitrovica to meet as young musicians and aspiring rock stars” (Peace Direct, 2016). In particular, the success of this initiative in achieving its social goals will be measured as well as the extent of the outcomes. Ultimately, the Mitrovica Rock School initiative will be critically evaluated to determine its effectiveness in bringing about positive social change.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Mitrovica Rock School
- The Origins of the Mitrovica Rock School
- The Mitrovica Rock School Program
- Community Involvement
- Security Concerns
- Effectiveness of the Mitrovica Rock School
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to critically evaluate the effectiveness of the Mitrovica Rock School initiative in bringing about positive social change. It explores the initiative's history, program, community involvement, and security concerns.
- The role of music in fostering cross-cultural understanding and peacebuilding.
- The impact of war and conflict on cultural traditions, particularly music.
- The challenges and opportunities of working in divided communities.
- The potential of music education for promoting social inclusion and positive social change.
- The effectiveness of music programs in bridging ethnic divides and fostering tolerance.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Mitrovica Rock School: This section introduces the Mitrovica Rock School initiative, its origins, and its mission to unite people through music. It highlights the foundation's motto, "war divides, music connects," and its global presence in war-torn communities.
- The Origins of the Mitrovica Rock School: This section delves into the genesis of the Mitrovica Rock School in the aftermath of the Kosovo War. It explores the impact of the conflict on the local rock music scene and the emergence of the Rock School in Exile intensive camp in Macedonia.
- The Mitrovica Rock School Program: This section focuses on the Mitrovica Rock School's curriculum and teaching methods. It outlines the various instruments taught, music styles incorporated, and the school's commitment to affordability and accessibility.
- Community Involvement: This section discusses the Mitrovica Rock School's efforts to connect with the wider community through workshops, performances, and collaborations. It highlights the role of music in fostering dialogue and promoting a culture of respect.
- Security Concerns: This section addresses the security challenges faced by the Mitrovica Rock School due to the persistent tension between ethnic groups in the region. It explores how students navigate these challenges and the school's efforts to create a safe and inclusive environment.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on the themes of music education, peacebuilding, social inclusion, ethnic conflict, and the power of music to bridge divides. It examines the Mitrovica Rock School initiative as a case study in using music as a tool for positive social change and community development.
- Quote paper
- Kassidy-Rose McMahon (Author), 2017, About the foundation "Musicians without Borders". The "Mitrovica Rock School" initiative, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/375301
