PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act

Bill: 117-hr-6498
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Introduced: 2022-01-25
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion

Congressional oversight

Cultural exchanges and relations

Music

Performing arts

Public-private cooperation
Latest action: action_date: 2022-07-29
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 3.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-01-25
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Promoting Peace, Education, And Cultural Exchange through Music Diplomacy Act or the PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act</strong></p> <p>This bill authorizes music-related exchange programs facilitated by the Department of State.</p> <p>The bill authorizes the inclusion of coordination and consultation with the private sector in the participation by groups and individuals from other countries in nonprofit activities in the United States similar to certain artistic and sports activities when such participation is in the national interest. </p> <p>State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) shall manage, including in coordination and consultation with the private sector, programs focused on music and the performing arts that provide opportunities to build cross-cultural understanding and advance peace abroad.</p> <p> State should seek to (1) partner with the private sector in support of music-related exchange programs implemented by ECA, (2) leverage private sector expertise in developing and implementing such programs, (3) expand networking and mentorship opportunities, and (4) identify private sector funding sources for travel and other expenses. </p> <p> The bill authorizes State to partner with the private sector to recognize musicians whose works or performances have advanced peace abroad and who could contribute to networking and mentorship opportunities for participants of music-related exchange programs implemented by ECA. </p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6498 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 25, 2022 Mr. McCaul (for himself and Mr. Deutch ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To authorize music-related exchange programs facilitated by the Department of State and relevant private sector partnerships, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promoting Peace, Education, And Cultural Exchange through Music Diplomacy Act or the PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act . 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) music is an important conveyer of culture and can be used to communicate values and build understanding between communities; (2) music artists play a valuable role in cross-cultural exchange, and their works and performances can promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts; (3) the music industry in the United States has made important contributions to American society and culture, and musicians and industry professionals in the United States can offer valuable expertise to young music artists around the world; and (4) the United States Government should promote exchange programs, especially programs that leverage the expertise and resources of the private sector, that give young music artists from around the world the chance to improve their skills, share ideas, learn about American culture, and develop the necessary skills to support conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts in their communities and broader societies. 3. Authorization of music-related exchange programs The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (commonly referred to as the Fulbright-Hays Act) is amended— (1) in section 102(a)(2) ( 22 U.S.C. 2452(a)(2) )— (A) in clause (iii), by striking assemblies; and inserting assemblies; and ; and (B) in clause (iv)— (i) by inserting , including in coordination and consultation with the private sector, before similar ; and (ii) by striking national interest. and inserting national interest; and ; and (2) in section 112(a) ( 22 U.S.C. 2460(a) )— (A) in paragraph (8), by striking and after the semicolon at the end; (B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (10) exchange programs, including in coordination and consultation with the private sector, focused on music and the performing arts that provide opportunities for foreign nationals and Americans to build cross-cultural understanding and advance peace abroad. . 4. Private sector partnerships (a) In general The Secretary of State should seek to partner with the private sector in support of music-related exchange programs implemented by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), leverage private sector expertise in developing and implementing such programs, expand networking and mentorship opportunities for program participants, and identify private sector funding sources for travel and other program-related expenses where relevant. (b) Authorization of certain partnerships The Secretary of State is authorized to partner with the private sector, including through the granting of awards, to recognize musicians whose works or performances have advanced peace abroad and who could contribute to networking and mentorship opportunities for participants of music-related exchange programs implemented by ECA. 5. Strategy (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for advancing United States foreign policy goals, including conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, through music-related exchange programs implemented by ECA. Such strategy shall include— (1) a description of clearly defined annual goals, targets, and planned outcomes for each music-related exchange program; (2) a plan to monitor and evaluate each music-related exchange program and progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and planned outcomes, including measurable benchmarks; (3) a plan to ensure that music-related exchange programs are promoting United States foreign policy objectives, including ensuring such programs are clearly branded and paired with robust public diplomacy efforts; (4) a plan to pursue partnerships with the private sector while implementing music-related exchange programs, including leveraging industry expertise and expanding networking and mentorship opportunities for program participants; and (5) (A) examples of how ECA’s music-related exchange programs have contributed to conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts to date, including through participant and alumni actions; (B) a description of lessons learned regarding how to better encourage conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts through ECA’s music-related exchange programs; and (C) a plan to incorporate such lessons learned into relevant current and future programming. (b) Consultation In developing the strategy required under subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall consult with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as well as relevant private sector partners. (c) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.