JMI GLOBAL 2022 - breakout sessions review

The JMI Global is an open event for anyone engaged in the world of youth and music. It features showcases by amazing young musicians, inspirational talks, vibrant networking, wonderous workshops and more.

2022’s edition of the JMI Global took place in mid-July in Banyoles, Spain. It was a 2-day conference under the theme Rhythms of Resilience. The JMI Global took delegates on a journey of reflection, discovery and learning from the measures being taken in the international youth-music community to create more resilient and sustainable cultural movements that enable youth to creatively thrive.

During this collaboration time, several breakout meetings were held, in order to explore common challenges and unlock and develop innovative ideas for the future of culture. In these workshops, the question of resilience was taken into consideration under 4 perspectives: global resilience, real-world resilience, economic resilience and resilience through communication.

The next paragraphs present, point by point, the results of the different workshops/sessions held during the JMI Global 2022.

Global Resilience

The need for a new Sustainable Development Goal for Culture arises with the matter of a clearer vision for the future of Culture. In order to achieve it in a sustainable and inclusive way, the breakout session on Global Resilience tried to frame the strategies for the times to come by answering the following key questions.

1. What do you see as being the advantages or disadvantages of an explicit Goal for Culture in the next development agenda?

Having an explicit Sustainable Development Goal for Culture in the next development agenda would help to have a global framing measurable instrument and voice to be then implemented and scaled locally. It would establish standards, raise awareness and at the same time support decision-making, and advocacy processes and positively influence policy-makers. However, without research and a clear vision, goals and tools, having one single global Goal for Culture could hinder our ability to achieve impact due to the diversity of our understanding of what culture is. It would, in a way, make the focus too narrow and risk re-producing power imbalances among countries.

2. Which policies for culture should the culture goal include?

Policies for culture included in the Culture Goal should focus on diversity and accessibility, guaranteeing freedom of expression. Cultural factors must be integral in education while including societal opinions on culture and enforcing agreements.

3. How can we upscale advocacy for a headline policy goal for culture?

We must use emotional stories to raise awareness about SDG goals. Social media is a powerful tool for advocacy to share our ambitions and generate revenue. Celebrities help to promote our goals and advocate for causes.

4. Which connections with other policy areas should be reflected in a future cultural goal?

In future cultural goals, connections with the LGBTQ+ community, women and other diverse groups should be highlighted. We must reflect on the inclusion of all musical styles and cultures and promote diversity of art and creativity.

Real World Resilience

Ethno shows the power of diversity and inclusivity. Cultural exchange and the various musical traditions expand the influence of music to deal with difficult topics that include social and political change, as well as a focus on nature and the environment. The so-called ‘Ethno Magic’ is a shared and lived experience, creating lasting memories and bonds between people, and stimulating innovative and creative thinking.

On one side, one group emphasizes that the Ethno mandate should continue in its current form, and should focus on contributing to, but not necessarily being used as a catalyst, for change. The other group feels that Ethno should safeguard its safe space, and continue to create best practices to improve an open, joyful, respectful and non-segmented environment. Moreover, Ethno could benefit from a less hierarchical structure, more exchange within the global network, and a clearer perspective on the long-term aims.

To reflect together on what "real world resilience" means, participants of JMI Global worked together to answer the following questions.

1. How might we use the magic of Ethno to challenge current political, environmental, economic, social and cultural changes?

Ethno can prove that diversity is worth focusing on and that social inclusion is necessary. We can focus on the experience of live music and create spaces to enjoy this music and work together. High-profile artists help to promote this methodology but new, more versatile artists should also be included as both can break cultural barriers and prove that politics cannot limit musical exchange and there is strength in numbers. Ethno projects can challenge political and economic/eco-social limitations. Music from all cultures is descriptive, cohesive and inclusive. We can emphasize Ethno’s role in facilitating tolerance and keeping traditions alive.

2. How might we (JMI, organizers, participants, musicians, and stakeholders in the youth * music sector) create an environment where both resistance and resilience work together?

The environment that we create needs to be open, joyful and respectful. If we focus on the drive to make music together we can ensure that this work environment is both resilient and resistant. We do not want a traditional hierarchical structure. Instead, we need to change roles in our groups and listen to each other to foster connections and focus on inclusivity. Ultimately we want to spread joy, have confidence, and maintain a brave, enthusiastic attitude.

Economic Resilience

Setting goals for cultural resilience has to be accompanied by funds. The topic of how to find a good, long term and reliable donor sparked during one of the breakout sessions in Banyoles. How might we ensure good projects for the donors, get some support, and implement fundraising techniques… Here are the propositions and reflection of the JMI Global participants.

1. How might we identify, find and reach our ideal donor?

To reach the ideal donor, we need to identify and have a clear idea of what we are looking for in a donor. The internet is an incredibly powerful tool and useful asset in finding a donor but we can also search locally or use connections we have made to locate a donor. To attract donors we must be socially aware and sensitive, not too direct, and we need to provide them with an attractive offer, show them what we do (such as inviting them to concerts) and build a good reputation for ourselves.

2. How might we make sure that our (musical/cultural) project is “good” for the donor(s)? (What do they “win”?)

We need to build positive relationships with donors and sell the projects to them to make sure that our project is “good” for the donor. We must realize who our target donors are and align our goals with theirs in terms of diversity, geography and socio-economics. Donors need to be incentivised and shown the work that they are contributing to see what they “win” by donating to our projects.

3. How might we ensure that donors support our cultural/music projects (and why should they)?

To ensure that donors continue to support our cultural and musical projects, we must show them what their donations contribute towards, such as by inviting them to concerts or events where they can witness the work in action. We can highlight to donors the return on investment that they would receive and incentivise them to continue donating. It is necessary to increase the visibility of our projects so that donors can be attracted and maintained.

4. How might we work together to develop and implement fundraising tactics (from the first approach to the final collaboration with potential donors)?

Working together to develop and implement fundraising tactics involves creativity and inclusivity. We must find a balance in the work we do and focus on programmatic marketing in our fundraising from the beginning. In collaborating with donors, it is essential to ensure that the details of our projects are already clear and that the figures make sense. The timing must be right for all parties and our interests must align with the interests of the donor.

Resilience through Communication

The final breakout session focused on how we can foster resilience through our communication strategies, as well as how and what we communicate. The key question that participants had to answer in this discussion was: What is the “WHY” of JMI? What is the power of music?

Music, as a universal language, has an incredible power to bridge cultural and social gaps. Music is a means through which people worldwide can express themselves and communicate with others who do not share the same culture but share the same love of music. The power of music is immense in terms of healing, crossing boundaries, helping communities, preventing violence and crime, facilitating cultural development, enhancing young people's lives and aiding their development. Music defies identities and forces us to view things in new ways and always maintain an open mind. It is the most successful tool in bringing people together no matter who or where they are.

We believe the outputs collected from the 2022 JMI Global can be useful food for thought for any cultural practitioner and organiser. And definitely an inspiration towards the next JMI Global in 2023!