2005 Press Releases

06 May 2005

Music & Political Culture - UCC Conference, 19-22 May



The role of music in the creation of a sustainable political culture is the theme of international conference on Music and the Emergence of Civil Culture which will take place at UCC on 19-22 May. Titled Music and the Emergence of Civic Culture the conference is being organised by Dr Linda Dennard, Director of UCC's Department of Government ETHOS Project on Governance and Civic Arts. The Conference seeks to enhance the conversation regarding politics and social learning - exploring how music and the arts might be employed in political practice to assist the emergence of civil society.

The interdisciplinary event has attracted scholars from political science, sociology, music, mathematics, and other disciplines from a variety of countries. Dr Martin Gardiner of Brown University, Rhode Island will speak on "Capacities for Civil Society: Music & Social Learning" and  Professor Caroline van Niekerk, former president of the Pan-African Music Education Society will address music and issues of political development. Also scheduled is Dr Helen Phelan of the Irish World Music Centre. Evelyn Grant, UCC School of Music will speak on "Rivers of Sound: An Illustrated Case Study of Cork Music Works".  Professor Kjell Skyllstad of the Department of Music and Theatre, University of Oslo will also speak on music advocacy in promoting equality.

 "The Beatles Generation & the End of the Cold War" is the title of a talk to be delivered Dr Vessela Misheva from Uppsala University, complimented by a talk by rock chronicler Visnja Cogan on the politics of U2 music. Dr Paul Burgess of Applied Social Studies at UCC will discuss the work of his band in conflict resolution in Northern Ireland among other speakers and performers.

UCC's Department of Government's ETHOS Project  engages in innovative programmes for enhancing the capacity of citizens, political leaders, and administrators to co-create sustainable political culture, including research on social learning for governance through the arts and other processes, and political theatre. It involves staff from Government, Applied Social Studies, History, and a consortium of international partners. The afternoon of 19 May is devoted to an interdisciplinary discussion of research and grant collaboration possibilities.  
 
The Conference takes place at UCC from 19-22 May in the Boole Complex and West Wing 9.  Enquiries: l.dennard@ucc.ie or visit the conference website at www.ucc.ie/acad/govt/ethos

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