Music as a Tool for Social Inclusion (PDF) - Cork City Council

The Use of Music as a Tool for Social Inclusion
Section 6: Conclusion and recommendations
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local structures need to join together to support on a practical level the development
and sustainability of the strong community music infrastructure that is unique to Cork
City. This uniqueness is part of a long community tradition that has provided access to
music services to disadvantaged communities and groups. This report presents clear
recommendations for action.
6.2. Key Recommendations
Recommendation 1:
Community Education and Lifelong Learning Policy
Despite a number of commitments to community education and lifelong learning in
policies for social inclusion, the arts, education and employment, there is no coherent
national framework for arts and education within which the community music groups
can provide education programmes. Practical supports and resources are needed,
together with political will and recognition of the scope of community education to
address educational disadvantage.
The relevant educational and developmental organisations in Cork should
come together to identify practical steps towards developing a coherent local
framework to strengthen and support community music education services in
the city. Cork City Council’s Community and Enterprise Directorate could
facilitate the initial stages of this process.
Cork’s community music education providers should be recognised and
valued not only for the high standard of their work in music, but also for their
contribution to social inclusion and community education. These are the
achievements of dedicated ‘active citizens’ in the face of a determined struggle
for sustainability. Their contribution deserves to be matched by the authorities
responsible for arts and education nationally.
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