Browse for Experts Nearest your Location

Throughout the world, more than 600 million young people live in fragile and conflict affected contexts. These young people are most affected by multiple and often interlinked forms of violence – that plague their countries and communities. Lack of access to economic opportunities, grievance over injustices and generalized distrust in states capacities to account for their citizens are fueling a cycle of poverty, hopelessness and frustration among youth.(1) Music can be useful in mobilizing youth to share meanings and ideas, and as such is an alternative way to engage in peacebuilding dialogues; (2) Music-making can help youth gain self-esteem and reconsider their view of others in a way that can help to destabilize conflict identities; and (3) by taking part in musical programs, violence by, against, and between youth may be reduced or prevented by providing alternative activities to rioting