Creating a musical dialogue for peace

This article proposes that music can be a useful means to engage youth in a dialogue for peace. Field research was conducted with two nan-government organizations - in Australia and in Northern Ireland - involved in youth peacebuilding projects that utilize music. Research methods included participant observation and interviews with youth participants and program leaders. Music offered a mechanism for the youth to engage in dialogue across differences. The value of music here is important because most of the young people interviewed reported that they would not have been interested in a peacebuilding program that was not music-focused. However, many of those same youth, after being drawn in by the musical aspect were inspired to continue working to build peace in some capacity. Obstacles and limitations are also evident, but the data suggests that music can be used to engage youth in a dialogue for peace.