Nearly thirty years of inspiring and equipping caregivers worldwide with what they need to use music in the care they provide, we have also observed how the development of music therapy in other countries is not always led by people who have the advantages of formal music therapy training.  We have been fortunate to work alongside such amazing pioneers – Partners who are committed to embedding music into care practices within their countries – which has made us recognise the significance of our third strategic goal, Entrust, in our new 2023-25 strategy.

We are aware that we have Partners in various countries who we would identify as pioneers as they actively champion the benefit of music and take on opportunities for greater independent music practice so that music can be integrated into the daily lives of more people in vulnerable situations within their country.  

A part from being a trainer I have other commitment but I always train others for them to train others when I am not around.

Audace Musoni, Rwandan Partner’s feedback from our International Partner Survey

We are really excited to be a part of this project and believe that this training tool has potential to support dementia-caregivers, not only in care facilities like ours, but also the ones determined to cope with dementia care-giving in their own homes. We are looking forward to promoting the program so that it may reach all those who can benefit from it!

(Pavithra Gangadharan, Founder of Kshetra Assisted Living by Heritage ElderCare Services Pvt. Ltd.)

We know that the journey of pioneering comes with many successes, such as creating positive impact when sharing-skills with other caregivers, setting up an association, etc.; but also challenges can be encountered along the way, especially when promoting the use of music within the wider care practice or gaining recognition from local authorities, etc. This is what our pioneering Partners tell us and at times ask Music as Therapy International for guidance, advice and other assistance on to help strengthen local capacity.

The most important thing for us was your support. Share your experiences and knowledge. Also important was the certificate that strengthens our professional position in the community. Thank you very much for your work in strengthening and enhancing the therapeutic activities in Georgia.

Martha Gogolidze, Georgian Partner’s feedback to an online training opportunity in 2022

The development of music therapy within the countries of our identified pioneers, have been taking shape differently with yet some similarities. For instance, some of our Partners have set up in their country their own association for their work with music, but these achievements have taken place at different times and contexts so each organisation might have specific needs at various moments to ensure their music-related services remain available. Additionally, some Partners might have key learning points from having an association, which sharing could be inspiring or beneficial for others. With both similarity and differences in the journeys of our Partners worldwide, we know how meaningful it could be for some of our Partners to have the opportunity to connect, share their experiences with what they have been doing within their country so that they can potentially learn from one another. This is why an international pioneers’ meeting could be valuable and is something we hope we could eventually offer as an opportunity for some of our Partners.

Partners’ feedback from when we carried out our international Partner survey a few years ago indicated an interest in some of our Partners wanting to learn from others, so an international pioneers’ meeting could be timely.

I hope that our cooperation will be continued, I wish to take part in exchange program, because I want to enlarge my skills, knowledge and techniques in that profession and to share my experience as a music therapist.

Aliona Tutunjiani, Georgian Partner’s feedback from our International Partner Survey

I recommend exchanging experiences between several institutions or schools that have groups with several experiences.

Palestinian Partner’s feedback from our International Partner Survey

Additionally, considering the global increase in the use of online platforms due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the opportunity to arrange a virtual meeting is more possible now than ever before.  There are many advantages to meeting virtually, especially as our Partners work in different countries and many logistical arrangements that are required for an in-person meeting can be avoided. That being said, there are still many considerations to think about to ensure an international pioneers’ meeting is feasible. For example, our Partners are located in different time zones so a date and time that would work for everyone would need thoughtful planning. Also, the many languages that our Partners speak would need to be considered, so arranging interpreters to be present with our Partners may be essential; and if interpreters are needed, they would need to know one common language that they all can understand and speak, such as English.  

The content, shape and structure of the meeting would also need careful thinking, such as the theme of the meeting would need to be relevant to all Partners.  Whilst our initial rationale for an international pioneers’ meeting is for Partners to benefit from sharing and learning from each other’s experiences of being active in the development of music in care practices within their country, a theme focusing on this could be appropriate. Showing pre-recorded video presentations could be a great way to allow Partners to showcase their work with music and their efforts to creating awareness about the role of music within their country; and allowing time and space for asking and answering questions may follow as a viable structure for the meeting. These are just some few initial ideas; but with this all in mind, we do acknowledge that we would need to ascertain what will be most meaningful for our Partners given their very different backgrounds and localities.

If we proceed with organising an international pioneers’ meeting, this would be scope for a rich learning experience for Music as Therapy International as just as much as for our Partners, which would play a part in fulfilling our fifth strategic goal: Embrace. This could also open the possibility to offer more similar webinars for our Partners to connect in the future and be inspired by one another.