The University of the Arts Helsinki has the honor of hosting the 36th World Conference of the International Society of Music Education. The theme of the conference, Advocacy for Sustainability in Music Education, makes us feel both excited and humbled. We are looking forward to exploring the topic together with all of the conference participants. At the same time, there is no bigger challenge for humanity than the ongoing ecological sustainability crisis. It will become an increasingly defining factor for the development of society, changing the relationship between humans and the biosphere. As many of us struggle with making sense of a world dominated by threats, it is important to note the interdependency between our well-being and social and environmental sustainability. We need to redefine what good life is in a way that is sustainable both for our minds and the planet.
Music education can have its own significant role in transforming the world towards a sustainable future. In Uniarts Helsinki, we believe that music and other arts have enormous potential to make a difference in the world. We need all that potential, all the questions and new partnerships for change that music educators and other stakeholders can offer.
In 1990, the 19th world conference of ISME also took place in Helsinki. It was hosted by the Sibelius Academy which has since become part of the University of the Arts Helsinki. The 1990 theme was Music Education Facing the Future. At that time, we felt that we had already lived through a period of rapid and radical changes. No one could have prophesied the kind of huge transformation the whole world was facing towards the end of last century – not to mention the decades after that.
The 36th ISME Conference will provide a platform for us as music educators around the world to learn with and from each other. We welcome you to Helsinki to share your viewpoints, to envision ways forward, and to create new partnerships for change. Together we are stronger in advocating for social, cultural, economic, and ecological sustainability in and through music education.
On behalf of the University of the Arts Helsinki and all friends of ISME in Finland we cordially invite you to join the 36th ISME World Conference in summer 2024.