Appendix 6 - International Music Council

2. Promotion of networks and civil society
We recommend to support networks, as structures that create contacts between individuals
or institutions and promote exchange. Networks are a special form of infrastructure. If
networks are strengthened and extended, then the commitment of the citizens (in the state)
is promoted.
We see the promotion of exchanges and cooperation as best practice:
• exchange of young people, pupils or students in the context of musical activity,
• conferences, festivals or trade fares like the WOMEX,
• communities of interest, societies and associations bundling the work of enthusiasts
• lobby networks like music export offices like German Sounds or the French Music
Export Office (s. section 2).
We recommend to introduce “network therapists”, who would coach networks in finding
their position in the market or in the politics.
To achieve the plurality and diversity of music, the way seems to be in promoting the
margins instead of the mainstream, so that a plurality of unities will evolve.
Red House Center for Culture and Debate, Sofia http://www.redhouse-sofia.org
The Red House Centre for Culture and Debate (Sofia) provides an opportunity for the
youngest generation to participate in public life, brings together young artists who are ready
to question the prevailing perceptions and offers them a place to realise and present their
projects. Through its socio-political programmes, the Red House Centre for Culture and
Debate creates a forum which stimulates public debate, brings new ideas into public
politics, educates a new generation of political leaders and brings together the cultural and
political elite of the nation. The Red House Centre for Culture and Debate organises and
presents socio-political as well as artistic, cultural and training programmes.
(http://www.redhouse-sofia.org/index_e.html)
3. Sustainability.
That could be misunderstood: the promotion of sustainability does not result in musical
diversity, but the promotion and investment in musical diversity should be sustainable. The
commitment and promotion has to operate sustainably and on a longterm basis to have
positive and lasting effects at all. As we look at education and the forming of awareness – a
changed formation of teachers does only have effects on a longterm base. Longterm
commitment should be the principle for the investment in music schools, the subsidy of
smaller and middle venues and festivals to create and sustain the possibilities for young
average and local musicians, the encouragement of the broadcasting of diverse musics (the
unusual and the non-mainstream) at nearly prime time (and not only at three o'clock in the
night) in public radio and television.
Example of a contribution to the long term promotion of musical diversity would be a new
school teacher education in music with emphasis on intercultural competencies and musical
diversity, planned as a cooperation of three German Universities in Hannover, Hildesheim
and Göttingen.
4. Promotion of musical practice:
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