EFM 2025 session descriptions

Date: 11 June
Time: 18:30 pre-reception, 19:00 start
Location: Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU, 21 Rue Montoyer

In the field of European cultural policy, the spotlight is currently on the development of a Culture Compass for the EU. This Compass should be a strategic framework for culture that aims to be future proof through cooperation with the European Parliament and Member States, with significance for the future EU funding policy. At the same time, European values are increasingly under threat, particularly in relation to music and culture. Cultural diversity, freedom of artistic expression and democratic values are at risk. In times of growing conflicts and amid geopolitical crises, they should be protected more than ever. Culture and its diverse expressions and notably artistic creativity provide a sense of belonging and strengthen democratic cohesion.

The development of a Cultural Compass is therefore very timely and will also have high relevance for discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This is particularly important for the future design of the funding programme Creative Europe and Music Moves Europe. These funding lines have proven to be of great importance for the music and wider cultural sectors and should receive significant attention in the next EU budget. In light of the Commission’s emphasis on competitiveness in EU policies, it is crucial to focus on the specific nature of culture and music, their intrinsic and social value as well as their economic significance. During this event we would like to discuss ways to strengthen the importance of promoting musical and cultural diversity through EU action, harnessing music’s potential as a driver for change and democracy. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the landmark UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, we also wish to reflect on what it offers for the vibrant music sector in Europe, as well as for the new Culture Compass and the future EU funding landscape.

This evening will be the opening of the European Forum on Music 2025 which will continue on 12 June with sessions, workshops and networking opportunities at Reset Brussels celebrating the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Date: 12 June
Time: 9:40
Location: Reset R2, Rue de Ligne 2 - entrance at Rue de Ligne 8

Ade Bantu is a Nigerian‑German musician, cultural curator and film producer whose 30‑year career has spanned continents and genres. As musician and activist, Ade speaks up and makes music for equal rights and freedom of artistic expression. He has been performing with different artists and in a great variety of musical settings and genres, including with the Bundesjugendorchester (German national youth orchestra), so one could say, musical diversity is in his DNA. In his keynote, he will share some insights on what musical diversity means in his daily experience and practice. What makes divers musical expressions flourish, and what are barriers for free expression of all forms of music. What needs to change on political as well as on practical level to remove such barriers, and in how far are instruments such as the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural Diversity helpful tools. The 2005 Convention is viewed as a significant step toward establishing standards for cultural policy so that art and culture can flourish in their diversity. It also promotes equal and fair international exchange of art and culture and is regarded as a counterbalance to international trade agreements that favour the liberalisation of trade in all areas. How much of these honourable goals have been achieved in the past 20 years?

Date: 12 June
Time: 10:00
Location: Reset R2, Rue de Ligne 2 - entrance at Rue de Ligne 8

One of the guiding principles of the UNESCO 2005 Convention is the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Convention “reaffirms that freedom of thought, expression and information, as well as diversity of the media, enable cultural expressions to flourish within societies”.

20 years since the inception of the Convention the panel will ask where we currently stand when artistic freedom is increasingly been challenged in Europe and beyond, not only by economic constraints, but by a growing wave of political interference.

The panellists will share their insights based on their personal experiences with censorship, they will look into the current threats to music freedom today (including self-censorship) and will look at the role of music organisations and how they can protect and support those at risk. How can we raise the awareness about these threats and actual cases and how can international conventions be helpful in cases of violations to music freedom.

Speakers at the panel will be Ade Bantu (musician), Luiza Moroz (Culture Action Europe), Stéphane Delhaye (mic6 Aix), Joanna Grotkowska (Polish radio 2, Polish Music Council). The panel will be moderated by Ole Reitov (Freemuse).

Date: 12 June
Time: 14:15
Location: Reset R2, Rue de Ligne 2 - entrance at Rue de Ligne 8

This panel will address the central question: How can musical artists secure a sustainable livelihood from their profession?

Panellists will examine structural challenges hindering the career development of musical artists, with attention to both European and international contexts. Framed by the fifth of the International Music Council's Five Music Rights—"The right for all musical artists to obtain just recognition and fair remuneration"—the discussion will consider the recognition of musical artistry as a legitimate professional activity, and the varying implications of this recognition across different regions.

The session will present country-specific examples illustrating approaches to defining and implementing fair remuneration, ensuring social protection, and facilitating access to domestic and international markets. Furthermore, the panel will explore how these issues intersect with the objectives of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In particular, it will examine the mechanisms the Convention offers to address current challenges and how these can be effectively leveraged to enhance the status and working conditions of musical artists worldwide.

Speakers:
Mila Georgieva - Bulgarian Music Association (and EMC board)
Sanni Kahilainen - International Federation of Musicians, FIM (and IMC board)
Ananya Bhattacharya - Banglanatak (and IMC board)
Frank Kimenai, KEA - European Affairs, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Moderator: Sonja Greiner, European Choral Association, ECA