Be Inspired by the European Agenda for Music

Cooperation with international organizations is among IAML’s main objectives. In recent months, cooperation with the European Music Council (EMC), regional group of the International Music Council (IMC), has become particularly important. Pia Shekhter, IAML Secretary General, has just reported on her participation at the European Forum on Music 2018, 7-10 June in Oslo.

On 21 March I had the privilege to represent IAML at the official launch of the European Agenda for Music (EAM). IAML was among the organizations supporting this document. The event took place at the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van Belgie voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten in Brussels.

As introduced by the European Music Council:

“The European Agenda for Music aims to converge the European Music sector's many voices in order to establish an ongoing dialogue between policy makers and music sector stakeholders. In the European music sector, we have many different viewpoints and interests, but we share one common goal: a thriving music sector that continues to play an essential role in the European landscape.”

The European Agenda for Music is based on IMC’s 5 Music Rights. EAM determines a common vision and strategy for the future. Nine key themes have been identified, and grouped in three categories:

  (1) Core Objectives: Education & Access to Music, Diversity, Shaping Society;

  (2) Areas of Action: Technology, Mobility, Recognition;

  (3) Means: Cooperation and Partnership, Dissemination, Data Collection & Analysis.

There are several areas relevant to the activities of music libraries, archives and documentation centres, i.e. promotion of European music, facilitating access to music, and participation in creating and raising awareness of existing networks in the field of information and documentation. The full text can be read here.

I would like to encourage IAML members to read this document, get inspired, and focus on possible implementation of the European Agenda for Music in IAML’s undertakings.