Back to Programs

Musicians Without Borders - Music for Peacebuilding

Kosovo, Palestine, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, El Salvador, Netherlands, Uganda, and more, Multi-Regional

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.

Behavior Goal

Use music to bridge ethnic/religious divides, heal trauma from conflict, and build peaceful communities through local musician leadership

Implementers & Partners

  • Musicians Without Borders
  • WE-ACTx For Hope
  • UNICEF
  • Culturlann Ui Chanain

Donors & Sponsors

  • International foundations
  • Government partners
  • Individual donors

Key Takeaways

  • 125 years of music for peacebuilding (founded 1999)
  • 280+ Community Music Leaders trained in Rwanda
  • 3Mitrovica Rock School creates ethnically mixed bands in Kosovo
  • 4Train local musicians as community leaders for sustainability
  • 5Welcome Notes connects refugees with European host communities
  • 6Music heals trauma, teaches empathy, transcends divisions

Sources

Related Programs