Music for Social Change

A UNESCO campaign launched in April 2020 that crowdsourced culturally relevant, openly licensed creative content from African artists—songs, dances, and visual art—to combat COVID-19 misinformation in local languages. Over 400 artists from 36 African countries participated, including Ugandan star Bobi Wine whose 'Corona Virus Alert' song went viral.

Musicians Without Borders (MWB) founded in 1999 uses music for peacebuilding in conflict-affected regions globally. Programs include: Mitrovica Rock School (Kosovo, since 2008) creating ethnically mixed bands; Palestine Community Music with Rap for Social Change and music for hearing-impaired children; Rwanda Youth Music training 80+ Community Music Leaders to heal women/children affected by HIV from genocide; Music Bridge (Northern Ireland) for reconciliation; Welcome Notes (Europe) connecting refugees with host communities; and Soy Musica (El Salvador with UNICEF). The approach trains local musicians as community music leaders, emphasizing locally-owned long-term programs. MWB believes music can connect, heal, teach empathy, counteract violence, and transcend divisions.

MTV Shuga is an award-winning edutainment drama series launched in 2009 by MTV Staying Alive Foundation to address HIV/AIDS among African youth. The show uses compelling storylines, trending music, and popular local actors to address HIV prevention, safe sex, teen pregnancy, gender-based violence, and stigma. Research shows viewers are 2x more likely to test for HIV. A dose-response relationship found greater exposure linked to higher odds of knowing HIV status. The series has aired in 40+ African countries and 70+ TV stations globally, with seasons set in Kenya, Nigeria (Shuga Naija), South Africa, and Cote dIvoire (Shuga Babi). Multiplatform approach includes TV, radio, graphic novels, peer education, and community viewing parties with HIV testing services.

African musicians have been instrumental in combating health misinformation during epidemics. During COVID-19, Ugandan artist Bobi Wine released songs to dispel misinformation, inspiring UNESCOs DontGoViral campaign with artists from 40+ African countries creating edutainment content. Musicians have addressed HIV/AIDS and Ebola, collaborating with academics to rebuild trust in health services. A systematic review using the RE-AIM framework found music is an effective but underutilized implementation strategy for health interventions in Africa, improving knowledge, facilitating behavioral change, and promoting mental health. Musics cultural roots and broad appeal make it powerful for reaching diverse age groups. Policy experts call for more research to quantify music-behavior change connections.

One Billion Rising is a global campaign founded by Eve Ensler (V-Day movement) using music and dance to end violence against women - referencing the UN statistic that 1 in 3 women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime. The campaigns anthem Break the Chain (written by Tena Clark, choreography by Debbie Allen) has been translated into 15+ languages. A 2020 anthem We Are Rising by social justice artist Taina Asili celebrates collective resistance. Annual events on February 14th involve millions of activists in 200+ countries dancing and demanding systemic change. Impact includes Guatemala classifying pregnancy under 16 as rape, and Bosnia investigating wartime rapes. Dance is seen as disruptive, joyful artistic resistance that helps survivors reclaim their bodies.

Playing For Change Foundation runs free music education programs in resource-limited communities globally, believing music creates positive sustainable change. Programs include: Imvula Music Program (South Africa), Bizung School of Music and Dance (Ghana), Ecole de Musique de Kirina (Mali), Joudour Sahara Music Program (Morocco), Ubuntu Music Program (Rwanda), and Salam Music Program (Uganda). The foundation provides instruction in vocals, dance, traditional and modern instruments, and music theory. Programs benefit thousands annually, with focus on marginalized communities. Approach connects music education to cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and community development. Musicians from the programs have gone on to perform globally, demonstrating pathways from vulnerability to opportunity.