Every music lover knows that a great song transcends borders and languages. Now, this unifying force is being harnessed as a diplomatic tool.
On Monday (June 24), YouTube announced a partnership with the US State Department as part of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, a program launched last September by the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken which aims to use music to promote peace and diplomacy around the world.
The project centers around a group of genre-spanning artists who will act as musical ambassadors. Featuring Chuck D, Herbie Hancock, Jelly Roll, Armani White, Breland, Denyce Graves, Grace Bowers, Justin Tranter, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson and Teddy Swims, with additional artists to be announced.
The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative is an extension of the PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act, which was signed into law by Chairman Joe Biden last year and directed the State Department to facilitate public-private partnerships that would support music-related diplomacy.
YouTube was chosen as a partner because of its global reach and influence on music culture worldwide. The partnership will include micro-grants to support individuals using music to create positive change in their communities. YouTube will also assist the State Department in its work using music as a tool for learning English. Additionally, they will work together to engage audiences and aspiring artists in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France and India and “use major international gatherings to inspire action around the unifying power of music,” according to a blog post written by the global head of YouTube. MUSIC Leo Cohen and YouTube vp of public policy Leslie Miller.
In a joint statement, Cohen and Miller wrote, “Music is a unifying force — it transcends linguistic, cultural and national differences. It helps us understand and appreciate each other in ways that almost nothing else can. During the Cold War, the United States started the Jazz Ambassadors program to send artists like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sarah Vaughn abroad to bridge cultural gaps and foster goodwill around the world. The Jazz Ambassadors program has left a lasting legacy, demonstrating the power of music as a diplomatic tool to promote cultural understanding.”
“We are excited to be a part of the next chapter of music diplomacy, helping to amplify the voices of artists and strengthen the bonds of our community across borders,” the statement continued. “Music reminds us more of what we can have in common than what separates us. This is the message we intend to echo around the world as we embark on this partnership, using the power of music to inspire peace for all.”
