Responsibility for music and politics

The European Music Council (EMC) is organizing this year's music forum together with the Swiss Music Council and the Yehudi Menuhin Forum in Berne. The topic is: Music and politics - shared responsibility.

In its newsletter of December 20, the European Music Council writes that music makes an essential contribution to the political and social development of a peaceful and inclusive Europe. Currency crises, austerity measures and rising unemployment have shaken citizens' faith in the European project. The EMC assumes that music and culture play a central role in restoring trust in Europe. Local, national and European political institutions must provide the necessary foundations to fully develop the musical potential for a diverse and united Europe.

The slogan "Unity in diversity" applies to both Europe and Switzerland. The forum will explore the following questions: What does diversity look like? What are its challenges? How is diversity reflected in society? The host country Switzerland, which describes itself as a "nation of will", provides a suitable environment for discussing the question: What can Europe learn from Switzerland in this respect?

Further information and registration forms will be available on the EMC website at the beginning of 2014: www.emc-imc.org/efm