Goal 1: Access
Ensure that arts education is accessible as a fundamental and sustainable component of a high quality renewal of education
Under goal 1, the Bonn Declaration focuses on the aspect of providing “access to music education”, it looks at the precondition of the places where music education takes place and asks if these reflect the needs of the learners and if they are open to all who wish to learn and participate in music education.
Access to music education and active music participation is a human right which has to be ensured for people of all ages and all backgrounds in Europe, guaranteeing that all citizens are given the right to express themselves freely through artistic means. This is in accordance with the Five Musical Rights3 of the International Music Council (IMC).Therefore:
- Music education must be a continuous, joined-up process from birth, through childhoodand into adult life.
- Music education, including participatory approaches, must be a compulsory aspect of the
- Music education, including participatory approaches, must be a compulsory aspect of the curriculum in all European schools.
- Non-formal and informal music education opportunities have to be recognized and increased visibility of these projects must be ensured.
- Music education must be practised in a variety of settings in order to reach the largest possible number of people. Formal, informal and non-formal methods must be used within the general school system, in specialised musical and artistic institutions, in the local community and in a wide range of non-artistic settings – for instance business, industry and social work.
- Opportunities and structures must be created, but also barriers removed, so that it is possible for anyone, irrespective of their age or social circumstances, to participate in music education and to engage actively in music making.
- Music education must reflect the diversity of the society in which we live and must incorporate societal and technological developments.
- Cross-curricular projects need to be developed, including interdisciplinary arts experiences,as well as co-operation with non artistic disciplines.