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# Global Music Diplomacy Initiative

Music: it gives voice to democratic ideals, to the powerful and the powerless, across borders and beyond barriers, and to generations of citizens – from all walks of life – worldwide.   

Since world renowned composer Aaron Copland headed to South America during World War II and the more widely known Jazz Ambassadors sang scat behind the Iron Curtain from the 1950s through early 1970s, the United States called upon American musicians and artists to use music as a diplomatic tool to promote peace and democracy. Now, the United States is elevating music even further through public-private partnerships with American companies and non-profits, to use music to meet the moment, convey American leadership globally, and create connections with people worldwide.

Russia

In 2008, American Jazz group Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants participated in the Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad Program tour to Chelyabinsk, Russia.

On September 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of State launched the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, which builds on existing music diplomacy efforts and delivers upon on the bipartisan Promoting Peace, Education, and Cultural Exchange (PEACE) Through Music Diplomacy Act that President Biden signed into law last year. This Act called on the Department to use public-private partnerships to support music diplomacy. In addition, at the September 27 launch, the Department announced the first Peace Through Music Award. The award recognizes and honors an American music industry professional, artist, or group, that has played an invaluable role in cross-cultural exchanges and whose musical work advances peace and mutual understanding globally. 

Public Diplomacy Exchanges and Programs

American Music Abroad

Arts Envoy

Center Stage

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

NextLevel

OneBeat

## Remarks and Releases

                        -  April 16, 2024  								U.S. Department of State Brings International Hip Hop Artists to the United States for People-to-People Exchange Program 															 
                        -  March 29, 2024  								U.S. Department of State Announces Film, Music, and Television Platforms  to Strengthen the U.S.-African Creative Economies															 
                        -  March 7, 2024  								Under Secretary Allen Travels to Austin for SXSW															 
                        -  January 31, 2024  								Assistant Secretary of State Satterfield Travels to Los Angeles															 
                        -  February 1, 2024  								U.S. Department of State Announces 2024 Spring Season of Next Level															 
                        -  January 25, 2024  								U.S. Department of State Announces American Music Abroad 2024 Spring Season, as U.S. Artists Span the Globe to Promote Peace Through Music															 
                        -  January 19, 2024  								U.S. Department of State Announces Start to 2024 Music Diplomacy Slate with Jazz Greats Herbie Hancock and Dianne Reeves Travel to India															 
                        -  November 6, 2023  								U.S. Department of State Brings International Musicians to Cleveland, the Home of Rock and Roll, to Promote Peace and Cross-Cultural Connections															 
                        -  September 27, 2023  								Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the Launch of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative															 
                        -  September 27, 2023  								U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken Launches Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, Music Icon and Former U.S. Jazz Ambassador Music Director Quincy Jones Receives Inaugural Peace Through Music Award															 
                        -  September 22, 2023  								Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks at the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative Launch															 
                        -  September 21, 2023  								Leading American and International Musical Artists to Perform at Launch of U.S. Department of State’s Global Music Diplomacy Initiative															 

## 						Other Resources					

December 26, 2023		This Music Moves People Worldwide		Read more 

August 11, 2023		Music Diplomacy through the International Visitor Leadership Program		Read more New Orleans Jazz Museum

April 29, 2022		Jazz Diplomacy Then & Now 2022		Read more State Dept.

April 8, 2022		Jazz Musicians Advanced America’s Civil Rights		Read more © Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

March 25, 2022		U.S. Embassies Launch Music Collaboration in the Sahara		Read more © Alexia Webster

April 30, 2021		Jazz Diplomacy Then & Now 2021		Read more NMAAHC

August 3, 2018		Voice of America’s ‘Music Time in Africa’ Spans Cultures and Genres		Read more D.A. Peterson/State Dept.

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