MUSIC CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

Do you ever listen to a song and find yourself moved so deeply you are almost in tears? Have you ever been to a live performance that turned your worst day into your best? Have you ever heard a song that inspired you? Music has the power to move us and to change us. Yet today’s music mostly does not seem to have the same earth-moving, society-shaping effects as that of the past.

With today’s technology, music has become even more of a part of our life experiences: we listen to it on our drive to work, when we go to parties, while we study, when we exercise, and in so many other settings. There are, however, still musicians wMusic, as a form of artistic expression, has the advantage of being very loud: it attracts attention and influences opinion. It can help in healing, in breaking down barriers and borders, in reconciling, and it can also educate. As a cultural right, music can help to promote and protect other human rights (civil, political, economic or social).

There are many amazing examples of music being used as a tool for social change around the world. In my academic research on this topic, I’ve focused on the situations that inspire me the most: at the local level – in Belfast, Northern Ireland (Oh Yeah Music Centre and work of Terri Hooley) and at the global level – the engagement of anti-poverty group ONE and human rights organisation Amnesty International.ho hope that their words will inspire change. 

The combination of the right lyrics, rhythm and instruments can build a group identity, stir strong emotions, engage audiences and amass people to take action. This makes music the perfect partner for social change.

Music, as a form of artistic expression, has the advantage of being very loud: it attracts attention and influences opinion. It can help in healing, in breaking down barriers and borders, in reconciling, and it can also educate. As a cultural right, music can help to promote and protect other human rights (civil, political, economic or social).

There are many amazing examples of music being used as a tool for social change around the world. In my academic research on this topic, I’ve focused on the situations that inspire me the most: at the local level – in Belfast, Northern Ireland (Oh Yeah Music Centre and work of Terri Hooley) and at the global level – the engagement of anti-poverty group ONE and human rights organisation Amnesty International.
 

Trishna Patnaik- https://www.themusicschool.ca/blog

Natasa Kokic- https://www.one.org/international/blog/how-music-can-change-the-world/