The Working Group Youth of the European Music Council held a highly successful European Forum on Music entitled Access! in Turin, Italy from 15^th-17^th October 2010. The more than sixty participants from all corners of Europe, mostly in their twenties, agreed that this was an invaluable opportunity to network and learn from one another. They shared their concerns and ideas for the future of the European music sector in a series of interactive workshops and worked together towards producing a European Agenda for Youth and Music.

Day One:

The forum was opened by two inspiring young keynote speakers: cellist and pioneer of contemporary music Peter Gregson (23, from the United Kingdom) and Zuhal Sultan music activist and founder of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq (20, from Iraq). Next up was an introduction to European youth policy and music given by Antoine Mertzeisen from the European Youth Forum and Kate Declerck from Jeunesses Musicales International. The first day was rounded off by a concert presented by hosts Feniarco, the Italian Choral Association, at the Conservatoire Giuseppe Verdi. This featured local young musicians as well as guest Jennifer Port, harpist and singer from Live Music Now Scotland. Another musical highlight was provided by the local youth choir Coro G in a performance during the guided city tour they gave participants on Saturday.

Day Two:

A wide range of workshops were offered to participants covering themes such as cultural policy, music education, arts management, branding and digital strategies, and music and social change. The European Music Café, which took place in the evening, gave all participants and speakers a chance to get to know each other and further discuss issues raised in the forum, whilst enjoying a varied musical programme including young Italian musicians, the musical results of the workshops, and a jam session, all in the beautiful setting of a palazzo!

More information about the workshops:

1. Culture Policy
2. Arts Management
3. Spiritus Mundi
4. Music Education
5. Digital Strategy
6. Live Music Now

Day Three:

The last morning was dedicated to the European Agenda for Youth and Music with participants presenting the results of the workshops and addressing the issues which are important for young people involved in music today in further small group discussions. The results were collated and will form the core of the Manifesto for Youth and Music in Europe which will be disseminated widely to ensure that policy makers, institutions and individuals take into account the needs of the young people who will be shaping the future of the European cultural sphere.