Euro Arab Youth Music Center (EAYMC)
Based on the belief that access to music is a fundamental human right and a factor contributing to the sustainable development of young people and their communities, Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI), the Cultural Movement EPILOGI (Cyprus) and the Arab Academy of Music (League of Arab States) decided to establish in 2012 the EAYMC in Cyprus, in order to improve cooperation in the fields of youth and music across Mediterranean. Its main objective is to create an enabling environment for cultural exchanges between young people from European and Arab countries and encourage access and participation in activities which generate educational, cultural and social outcomes. Its recent activities include:
1. Euro-Arab Youth Music Forum (Limassol, Cyprus, 4-6/12/2015): it brought together leading experts and cultural organizations from both shores of the Mediterranean. The theme was: “Music as a medium for cultural expression and dialogue among young people of the European Union and the League of Arab States. From ideas to action: building a framework for cooperative initiative”. The sub-themes included: i. Engaging young people and audience development practices in European and Arab states, ii. New technologies, knowledge sharing and dialogue”, iii. “Mobility of young artists and professionals” and iv. “Cultural and Youth Diplomacy”.
2. ‘Mediterranean Music Connections: Ethno Cyprus 2016’ (Limassol, Cyprus, 1-16/7/2016) it consisted of a traditional youth music camp. Using music as a starting point, 35 young virtuosos of traditional instruments, from European and Arab countries, created a platform for intercultural dialogue to foster mutual understanding and respect.
EAUMC is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides European and Arab youth with equal opportunities to develop, create awareness and exchange knowledge, facilitating cooperation, mutual understanding and respect, through music. Founded by AAM, JMI and Epilogi, EAYMC is an active, visible and recognized platform, with strong organizational capacity that provides diverse and demand-driven music programmes for European and Arab youth. According to the agreement among partners, the core values embedded in each project developed by the EAYMC are:
A. Youth: To be created for/by young people: develop active citizenship and social integration; contribute in the personal development and empowerment of young people.
B. Music: To be related to music: promote access to music and diversity of musical genres.
C. Inter-culturalism: improve intercultural dialogue and international cooperation, peace, mutual respect and tolerance.
In addition, all projects undertaken by the Centre contribute to building Euro-Arab cooperation, solidarity, respect and understanding among youth as well as promoting active citizenship and social integration of youth.
Euro-Arab Youth Music Center contributes to the enhancement of the cultural activities and interaction among Mediterranean countries. From the beginning of its activities the Centre contributed to the mapping and creation of a sustainable network of over 100 organizations and companies on an institutional level, working with/for young people, specifically musicians and young audiences across the EU and Mediterranean. The activities of the Center offer training and cooperation opportunities by involving several organizations from Europe and Eastern Mediterranean, which strengthens their capability to work internationally, improve their management capacity and internalization strategies. Its mobility schemes involve young musicians and cultural professionals, while outreaching an audience of thousands of people through concerts and festivals as well as communications and awareness campaigns. By stimulating and mobilizing young people, it supports social capital development while contributing to the sustainable development of European and Arab countries. Every project implemented is rooted in building cooperation, solidarity, respect and understanding among youth and contributes to the active citizenship and social integration of youth. Young people involved in EAYMC’s project may improve their competencies, develop cultural entrepreneurship and enhance their intercultural awareness.
around 30 000 euros yearly (annual budget)