Name
2175 - Cultural Diplomacy Through Song: Children as Cultural Ambassadors (Case study)
Date & Time
Monday, July 27, 2026, 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Description
Abstract:Music has long been recognized as a powerful means of cultural expression and exchange. In diverse multicultural contexts, children’s choirs provide unique opportunities to foster empathy, preserve heritage, and promote intercultural understanding.Background:Scholarship on music education and intercultural learning demonstrates that singing together enhances social cohesion and offers children a platform to serve as cultural ambassadors (Joseph & Southcott, 2015). Research on cultural diplomacy underscores the potential of artistic practices to bridge divides, preserve minority traditions, and cultivate global citizenship (Nye, 2008; Schippers, 2010).Aim:This paper examines how children’s singing projects operate as forms of cultural diplomacy, focusing on storytelling, heritage preservation, and community engagement. It highlights children not only as learners of music, but as ambassadors who represent and connect diverse communities.Method/Framework:Drawing from case studies of children’s choir participation in multicultural festivals, international community events, and intercultural collaborations, this paper explores how music education fosters both individual identity and intercultural dialogue. Events such as International Children’s Day, cultural garden celebrations, and global community festivals serve as illustrative contexts.Summary of Main Ideas:Song functions simultaneously as personal expression, communal heritage, and intercultural bridge. Through rehearsals and performances, children learn musical and linguistic traditions, embody narratives of belonging, and share them across cultural boundaries. Storytelling through song is emphasized as a pedagogical strategy that enables young singers to both preserve their heritage and engage others in meaningful dialogue.Conclusion/Implications:By conceptualizing children as cultural ambassadors, this paper argues that music education extends beyond the classroom to become a tool of cultural diplomacy. Such practices foster inclusiveness, strengthen intercultural ties, and prepare children to challenge prejudice through shared creative expression. In alignment with ISME 2026’s overarching theme Unity in Music Education: Building Bridges for All, the paper demonstrates how choral practice, and intercultural performance can contribute to building bridges in increasingly diverse societies.
Location Name
210A - Poster Gallery
Session Type
Poster Presentation
Presenter(s)
Nada Martinovic
Poster Board
52