In a social context, music defines you - whether as an amateur or professional, international artist or a local teacher, music is a powerful identifier of who you are and where you belong - music can bring purpose to your life. Music Crossroads believes that youth have an important role in directly shaping the norms, values, beliefs and principles of tomorrow.

Festivals are the driving force behind our Youth Empowerment through music program, and have lead to the creation of diverse activities. With the development of workshops promoting an open discussion of sexuality and gender equality, MCI is not only helping young people to realize their dreams on a musical level, but is generating community dialogue towards a common vision of socio-economic development in an HIV/AIDS-free society.

We have come to realize the importance of developing relevant and effective national music education structures. In the five Southern African countries where MC is present - with a total population of some 100 million people - the local music industry is struggling. There are few record companies, distributors and professional artist managers; high levels of piracy and an immense "brain drain" with artists leaving countries to pursue markets and audiences elsewhere.

Every year, many highly talented bands perform at the Music Crossroads Festivals or join the music activities in the national training centers, but most of the musicians have neither their own instruments nor any kind of music education and training.

Only a handful of educational institutions exist to develop music skills. The needs and interest are enormous, so it is time to bring existing stakeholders together in each country to join forces and contribute to a synergetic and relevant national music education platform. Both public institutions and private initiatives can unite and reach a shared objective: better trained professional musicians and more enlightened music listeners will contribute to the growth of the music industries and increase the status of musicians.

Do you want to know more about Music Crossroads' impact on individual levels? Then, download the Music Crossroads Baseline research 2006<>2010 here below!

Select any of the Youth Empowerment programs from the right-hand navigation bar to find out how Music Crossroads is using the power of music and promoting social change.

Through our Youth Empowerment programs, Music Crossroads actively supports
the UN's Millennium Development Goals to:

1 - Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2 - Achieve universal primary education
3- Promote gender equality and empower women
4- Reduce child mortality
5 - Improve maternal health
6 - Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7 - Ensure environmental sustainability
8 - Develop a Global Partnership for Development