Music for Active Citizenship: a Young Music Mentors Programme - MAC

In recent years European countries have experienced a growth in their cultural, ethnic and religious diversity as a result of migration. Both Cyprus and Greece have been two of the top refugee receiving countries by share of their population according to Eurostat leading to rising xenophobia and racism. Our organizations strive to provide children and youth with opportunities for social integration through music education. Sistema Cyprus and El Sistema Greece are ‘El Sistema’ inspired social music orchestra and choir programs that aim to provide free music education to migrant, refugee and disadvantaged children and young people. Based on Gordon Allport’s contact hypothesis - under appropriate conditions, interpersonal contact is one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice between majority and minority group members- the MAC project was created. MAC enabled the close contact through music and mentorship of El Sistema students for a three-month period by young mentors, allowing them to engage, develop social bonds and offer support to the Sistema students. At the same time, the project functioned as a great opportunity for young people interested in music, to receive training and guidance to mentor the El Sistema students.

This project was implemented in Cyprus and Greece by the consortium partners Sistema Cyprus and El Sistema Greece. The aim was to offer opportunities for social and educational interactions between local Sistema music program students with a refugee or immigrant background and native students who study music. Based on the foundation of social music education, the project seeked to promote social equity and act towards social inclusion while educating for the appreciation of social diversity.

- We produced a training package focusing on music education as a tool to promote social integration. - We organized workshop training for a group of 30 Young Music Mentors. - We implemented a three-month peer mentoring music program utilizing the El Sistema learning philosophy and teaching methodology to bring together the young mentors with 60 children of immigrant and refugee backgrounds. - We disseminated the project’s outcomes aiming to raise awareness about the necessity of social equity. We have created a video documentary with short interviews from the students and the Young Music Mentors, as well as some footage from the rehearsals and lessons. In addition, a multiplier event was organized in each country, with four YMM sharing their thoughts and experiences from the project.

The project promoted social integration and social equity, as it focused on the capacity building of young music students. In addition, music was used as a tool for reaching out to marginalized young people and preventing racism and intolerance among youth. This resulted in the promotion of intercultural dialogue and the appreciation of diversity in society, just like in the orchestra. After contacting other organizations from our network, some of them have already expressed their interest in replicating the program in their own communities.