El Sistema Venezuela in Graz · El Sistema Venezuela in Graz Freitag, 18. Mai 2018, 11.00 Uhr...

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El Sistema Venezuela in Graz Freitag, 18. Mai 2018, 11.00 Uhr MUMUTH, Kunstuniversität Graz FIESTA!! Ein Festtag der „El Sistema Venezuela“- Ensembles in Graz 200 MusikerInnen aus Venezuela Podiumsdiskussion, Jugendorchester, Symphonischer Chor, Manos Blancas Chor, Folklore-Ensemble Alma Llanera und Banda Latino Caribeña mit LIVE SALSA PARTY! Eintritt frei Zählkarten und weitere Informationen: +43 316 389 1208 Transcription of the Podium Discussion of the El Sistema Venezuela Visit at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz Dr Bernhard Gritsch Dean of studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz Dr Elisabeth Freismuth Rector at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz Maria Majno Pianist, Philosopher and musicologist, founder of El Sistema Italia, Vice-president of El Sistema Europe Dr Ulrike Gelbmann Global Studies and social sustainability, Karl-Franzens University Dr Eduardo Mendez Executive Director of El Sistema Venezuela Franka Verhagen Director of the Academic training program for teachers and conductors of El Sistema Walter Gutdeutsch Music pedagogue, pianist, philosopher and humanist Dr Christine Rhomberg Managing Director at Hilti Foundation Leila Weber Guest teacher in Sistema Venezuela and Founder of Hangarmusik Berlin, Sistema-inspired program Panelists: Moderation: Bruno Campo

Transcript of El Sistema Venezuela in Graz · El Sistema Venezuela in Graz Freitag, 18. Mai 2018, 11.00 Uhr...

Page 1: El Sistema Venezuela in Graz · El Sistema Venezuela in Graz Freitag, 18. Mai 2018, 11.00 Uhr MUMUTH, Kunstuniversität Graz FIESTA!! Ein Festtag der „El Sistema Venezuela“- Ensembles

ElSistemaVenezuelainGraz

Freitag, 18. Mai 2018, 11.00 UhrMUMUTH, Kunstuniversität Graz

FIESTA!!Ein Festtag der „El Sistema Venezuela“- Ensembles in Graz 200 MusikerInnen aus Venezuela Podiumsdiskussion, Jugendorchester, Symphonischer Chor, Manos Blancas Chor, Folklore-Ensemble Alma Llanera und Banda Latino Caribeña mit LIVE SALSA PARTY! Eintritt frei Zählkarten und weitere Informationen: +43 316 389 1208

Transcriptionofthe

PodiumDiscussionofthe

ElSistemaVenezuelaVisitatthe

UniversityofMusicandPerformingArtsGraz

DrBernhardGritschDeanofstudiesattheUniversityofMusicandPerformingArtsGrazDrElisabethFreismuthRectorattheUniversityofMusicandPerformingArtsGrazMariaMajnoPianist,Philosopherandmusicologist,founderofElSistemaItalia,Vice-presidentofElSistemaEuropeDrUlrikeGelbmannGlobalStudiesandsocialsustainability,Karl-FranzensUniversity

DrEduardoMendezExecutiveDirectorofElSistemaVenezuelaFrankaVerhagenDirectoroftheAcademictrainingprogramforteachersandconductorsofElSistemaWalterGutdeutschMusicpedagogue,pianist,philosopherandhumanistDrChristineRhombergManagingDirectoratHiltiFoundationLeilaWeberGuestteacherinSistemaVenezuelaandFounderofHangarmusikBerlin,Sistema-inspiredprogram

Panelists:

Moderation:BrunoCampo

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RectorElisabethFreismuth:So,goodmorningeverybody,it’sreallyagreatmoment,manyofyoudon’tknowme,mynameisElisabethFreismuth,I’mcurrentlyrectorattheUniversityofMusicandPerformingArts.Justtogiveyouafewimpressionsoftheuniversity:thisistheoldestmusicuniversityinAustria,soveryfondofbeingolderthanVienna,andthat’swhywecelebratedmorethanoneyear,from2016to2017,becausewewerefounded200yearsago.Andtheincrediblethingiswhatwetrytodo,istocombinetraditionwithinnovation,becauseourrootsgobacktothoseinfluencedbySchubertandBeethoven,becauseoneoftheco-founderswasaveryclosefriendtoSchubertandBeethoven,sothisisthetraditionwherewecamefrom.Ontheothersidewearereallyvery,verygoodandprovehighexcellencyincontemporarymusic,sothisisreallyalargelinefromtraditiontoinnovation.Andthereisoneissuethatpersonally–andIhavetosayfromthebottomofmyheart–issoimportantforme,andthatistheresponsibilityofuniversityforsociety.LegallythereistheUniversityAct,andparagraphoneofthisUniversityAct,whichdatesbackto2004,says,thatuniversitieshavetocontributetosolvetheproblemsofsociety.AndthatwasjustalineinanAct,andwesaid“ok,weareresponsibleforsociety,so,butlet’sdowhatwereallyhavetodo:wehavetoteachwehavetomakeresearch,wehavetodevelopthearts”.Butnowinthe21stcenturythingshaveverymuchchanged,andnotonlylookingintoothercontinentsandcountries,butlookingrightandleftinEurope,andEuropeisaverysmallcontinent.Andsowedohavesomanyproblemsinourneighbourcountries,inourowncountries;Ijustrefertothemigrationsituationnow,somanyrefugeescomingtoEuropefromtotallydifferentcultures,totallydifferentreligions.Sowewerestandingthereandsaying“whatdowedo?”,andwedon´twanttobejustgoodpeopleandhelp,wewanttodosomethingwhichisreallysustainable.Andifyouregardauniversityasoneofthehighestinstitutionswithinasociety,withinastate,withintheRepublicofAustria,wereallyhavetotakethisresponsibilityintoourhandsandhavetoprovethatweareabletomaketherightdecisionsforthefuture.Andone,Ithink,oftheseimportantrightstepsofouruniversitywas–andIwanttomentionBrunoCampo,becausetheideagoesbacktohim,andI’mreallyveryfond,becauseit’snotnormalthatstrategicdecisionsstartfromtheideaofastudentknockingatthedooroftherector,anditwasreallythatsituation:“I’mBrunoCampo,Ihaveanidea”.AndoutofthisideawebecameamemberofSistemaEurope,andoutofthisideaIdohope–andI’msure,becausewedohavesomanywonderfulpeopleworkinghereandsomanybeautifulstudentsworkinghere–thatoutofthisidea,wewilldevelopanddeepenwhatwedoforElSistema,butaswell,wewilldevelopnewideasinotherfields.AndifIsaiddevelopotherfields,IjustwanttomentionthatwearealsoworkingandcollaborationveryintenselywithSuperar.Wedohaveschools,elementaryschools,inthecityofGrazwithmorethan80%ofpeoplecomingfromabroad,andnotfromGreatBritainandtheUS,butreallyfromcountriesinneed,andwecollaboratewithacoupleifinstitutionshere,prisons,hospitals,elderlypeople,blindpeople,deafpeople,andthisisnotjustbecausewearesogoodandnice,butbecauseweknowandwearedeeplyconvinced,thatwhatweseeandfeelinallthesesituationswillchangeourpersonalinsightandwillchangeourattitudeasteachers,asartists,asscientists.AndthatwasthemainreasonwhywhenBrunocameagainandsaidthattherewastheideaofinvitingElSistema,becauseyou[ElSistema]arenowhereinAustria,thatIsaid“Yes,wedoit”.Andwedoitbecauseitisaneedtodoit,andweareconvincedthatitisourdutyanditisalsoourheartbloodtodosomething,andifwewanttodosomethingwewanttodoitassustainableprojects.So,thankyouverymuchforcoming,IthinkthepanelwillbepresentedbyBrunoCampo,whodidalotofworkinthelastdays,thankyouvery,verymuch.

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Thousandsofemailswerearrivinghereandthere,andIthinkit’sgreatthatsomanypeopleareworkingonthatprojectwithintheuniversity.Thankyouforcoming[toaudience],andallourguestswhocamefromVenezuela,enjoyGraz,it´sreallyavery,veryprettycity,withveryItalianflavoursandsouthernstylehere,wonderfulfood,wonderfuldrinking,wonderfulpeople,sopleasetakehomemanyoftheseimpressionstoyourhomecountry,andI’mvery,verysurethatthiswillbeabeautifulstartofawonderfulcollaborationandcooperation.Thankyouforbeinghere.BrunoCampo:Goodmorningeveryone,Ihavethehonourofpresentingourpanelliststoday,asIwassayingbefore,formeit’sreallyagreatinspirationtohavesowonderfulpeoplearound,definitelythepeoplethatmakestheworldbetterandthatmovestheworldintherightdirectioneveryday,andthisisreallyanhonour.FirstIwouldliketointroduceDrEduardoMendez,theexecutivedirectorofElSistema.HestartedasamemberofElSistemaduringhischildhood,playingviolininanucleoinMérida.EduardolaterbecameaviolinistoftheSimónBolívarOrchestra,ateacherandamentor.Hedevelopedquicklyhismanagementabilitiesandtookimportantrolesinsidetheorganizationsince2003,passingthroughtheAcademicDivisionandleadingtheNationalDirectionofNucleos.In2008,MaestroJoséAntonioAbreuentrustedhimwiththeExecutiveDirectionof“ElSistema”.Apartfromhisresponsibilitiesbysupervisingthedevelopmentoftheinfrastructurewithnewbuildingsandhallsinthecountryandselectingandidentifyingthedifferentensemblesfromthewholeinstitution,Eduardoconsidersthistobehismainobjective:TokeepthestructuralstabilityoftheElSistemaorganization,whichincludesmorethan10,000employees,designingandimplementingstrategieswithagreementsbetweendiverseorganizations,toincreasethesocialinclusionandtoguaranteethemusicalexcellence.UnderhisleadershipElSistemahasreached1millionkidsandyoungstersrecently,andweareveryhappytohearthat.Eduardo,Iwouldliketoaskaquestiontoallofyoutostartthisdiscussion,anditisbasically:WhathasbeenyourexperiencewithElSistemaandwhatisoutstandingaboutElSistemainyourpointofview?DrEduardoMendez:Well,goodmorningeveryone,thankyouforbeinghere,it’sanhonour–asImentionedbeforetotherector–forusandforVenezuelatobehereinthisimportantuniversity.Well,IthinkElSistemahaswhatIcanidentifyasinnovation.WhatMaestroAbreumadewhenhestartedthisin1975,hewasjuststandingagainstthetraditionalwayofteachingandoflearningmusic.Hewasapersonwhowantedtogivetherightofmusictoeveryonepossible,andofcourseIthinkthisisforusthemostoutstandingthing.Ofcoursetherearemanytechnicalissuesduringtheyears,wecantalklateraboutdifferentprograms,thedifferentkindsofmusicweplay,thenumberofchildren,buttherealimportantthingistogivetheopportunitytoplaymusic,tohavesocialinclusion,togivethechildrenanewwaytoseetheirlife,theopportunitytobecomebettercitizens,andofcourseallthisisconnectedwiththemusicalexcellencethatisthemainobjectiveofallofthis.BrunoCampo:FrankaVerhagen,directoroftheacademictrainingprogramforteachersandconductorsofElSistemasince2010.GuitaristandpedagoguefromtheNetherlands,movedtoVenezuelain

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1996andhasbeenteachingsincetheninmanynucleosandintheConservatorioSimónBolívaraswell.In2015shewasappointedmemberoftheMusicAcademicCouncilofElSistemabyMaestroJoséAntonioAbreu.Thesamequestiontoyou,dearFranka:WhathasbeenyourexperiencewithElSistemaandwhat’soutstandingaboutitinyourpointofview?FrankaVerhagen:Goodmorning,anhonourtotakepartofthiswonderfulpanel.Well,outstandinginElSistemaistheinclusion,theinclusionforallchildrenandyoungpeoplewhowanttotakepart.Thereisnoobstacletogoandgettoanucleoinanypartofthecountry,wehavebeenabletoopennucleosineverystate,ineverybigcity,andeveninmostofthesmallvillages,soit’sanopenplaceandbyVenezuelansocietyitisaninstitution.People,eventhoughtheyarenotmusiciansordon’thavechildren,theyknowaboutElSistema,everyoneknowsaboutElSistema,sothatisremarkabletohavebeenabletomakesuchabigstructurethatispartofthecultureofthecountry.Andwell,myexperience,Ihavebeenveryfortunatetobeabletotakepartofthisprocessallalong32yearsnow.BrunoCampo:WalterGutdeutsch,pianist,conductor,pedagogueandphilosopher,graduatedintheMusicUniversityofVienna.WalterwasDirectoroftheMusicSchoolinPullachnearMunichuntil2004.Since2002,hehasbeenajurymemberoftheInternationalPianoCompetitionDeliaSteinberginMadrid,andsince2008alsoitsartisticdirector.Since1998WalterGutdeutschhasbeengivingtalks,workshopsandseminarswithtopicsaroundglobalmusicpedagogy,culture-philosophyandlife-longlearning.Heiscollaboratingwithmusicschools,conservatories,musicuniversities,kindergartens,primaryandsecondaryschoolsaswellasothereducational,pedagogicorculturalinstitutions,workingwithpupils,studentsandteachersonthreecontinents.Heisaphilosopherandhumanist,memberofTreffpunktPhilosophie,NeueAkropolisGraz.DearWalter,whathasbeenyourexperiencewithElSistema,andwhatisoutstandingaboutElSistemainyourpointofview?WalterGutdeutsch:ImetBrunoin2009or2010whenheinvitedmetocometoGuatemala,andthereIworkedwiththeteachersandconductorsinhismusicschool,wherehehadthetwoorchestras,thechildren’sorchestraandtheyouthorchestrawhichhefoundedinGuatemalaaftermeetingAbreuinVenezuela,sohefoundedElSistemainGuatemala.AndIworkedwithyourteachersandIwastotallyimpressedbytheenthusiasm,andItalkedtoyouaboutthismanytimes.WehavehereinmiddleEurope,especiallyAustria,Germany(I’mGerman),andSwitzerland,andDenmarkandso,wehaveanenormouseducationsystemofmusicinourprimaryandsecondaryschools,andalsomusicschools,andthisiskindofformalized,kindofwithstereotypesofteachings,andweinEuropemaybesometimesconfoundormixupmusicalityortheloveofmusicwithknowledgeofmusic.Sowethinkwearenotmusicalbecausewedon’tknowhowtoreadnotes.AndwhenImakeseminarshereinEuropeit’salwaysthequestionwhenwemakesomeimprovisationgroupswithadultsorwithchildren,nobodydarestoplaybecausetheythink“oh,I’mnotmusical”,butwhenI’mmakingseminarsinLatinAmericaorinTurkeyorinIsraelorwherever,theygo:“ah,Iwant,Iwant!”.Sothisisapurejoyofsharingvaluesthroughmusic.AndthesecondthingIhavenoticedwithEl

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Sistema,isthattheyplayasifsomethingisbehindthem,somethingwhichiskindofanecessity.Whenweplayinaconcertinthemusicschools(IwasmusicschooldirectornearMunich),youknow,youcomeinandthenyouplayandthenyoumakeabowandtheyapplaud,andyousitdownandthencomesthenext…,butwhenIheardElSistema,thechildrenandtheyouth,andtheteacherstalkingandworkingwiththechildren…itiswhatAbreusaidwith“tocaryluchar”[playandfight],tocreateabetterworldandtocreatebetterpeople,becauseweneedbetterpeopletocreateabetterworld.AndwehavemaybelostthisinEurope.AndthatiswhyI’mverythankfultobehere.BrunoCampo:DrChristineRhomberg:BorninAustria,ChristinehasalwaysbeendevotedtoArt.ShehasbeenHeadofDevelopmentoftheLucerneFestival,HeadofMarketingoftheBregenzFestivalandProjectManagerandCuratorintheKunsthausBregenz.Since2012,DrRhombergistheManagingDirectoroftheHiltiFoundation,responsiblefortheprojectportfoliointhefieldsofeducation,cultureandscience.TheHiltiFoundationhasbeenworkingwithElSistemaVenezuela,andthroughtheyearsDrRhomberghasreinforcedastrongvisionon“socialchangethroughmusic”inEuropeandSouthAmerica,focusingonsustainableteacher’strainingaswellasonthecollaborationbetweentheprograms.AgreatsupporterofSinfoníaporelPerúandotherprogramsinChileandBolivia,aswellasSuperarViennaandZürich,andtheSistemaEuropeYouthOrchestra,whichistheplatformthatunifiesthespiritofElSistema,gatheringyoungmusiciansfromover28Europeancountrieseverysummer.ChristineRhombergandtheHiltiFoundationhavehadauniqueroleestablishingElSistemaallovertheworld.Withouthersupport,manySistema-inspiredprogramswoulddefinitelylookverydifferentorsimplynotexist.Thankyouforbeinghere,Christine.WhatisyourexperienceinElSistemaandwhatisoutstandingaboutitforyou?DrChristineRhomberg:Well,firstofallthankyouforhavingmehereandgoodmorningtoeverybody.MyfirstexperiencewithElSistemawasduringmytimeattheLucerneFestival,andIwasreallyimpressedbytheenergyandIcanunderlinewhatyousaid[toWalterGutdeutsch];itisacompletelydifferentapproach.Inthemeantime,ElSistemaformehasbecomemuchmorethanaprogram,ithasbecomeaphilosophy,andIthinkmanyofyoumightnotknowthatworldwidewehaveanenormousnumberofwhatwetodaycallSistema-inspiredprograms,andthisisreallyformetheoutstandingthingwithElSistema,howtheideaofanindividualmanlikeJoséAntonioAbreucanspreadallovertheworld.WhatourjobisnowastheHiltiFoundation,andIhopemanyotherswilljoinus,istocreateawarenessforthisfact.ThereissomuchgoingonwhichweinmiddleEuropedonotevenknow.TherehasbeenamappingjustrecentlybyafoundationinVienna,andtheyweremappingCommunityArtsProjectsbyasking10peopleatthebeginning,theymentionedtheirfivebestpractice-models,andtheyagaintalkedtothesefivebestpracticemodelsandtheyendedupwithmorethan2,800CommunityArtsProjectsworldwide,withoutdoingastrongfocusforexampleonAsia,sothereismuchmorearound.Whatourjobisnow,isfirstofalltolettheindividualinstitutionsknowabouteachother,becauseeveryonelookslikethat[closedview]anddoesn’tlookleftandright,becauseeverybodyisoverwhelmedwiththeirownwork.Thereisalotofpotentialaroundbyconnectingtheinstitutions,andIthinkwecancreateanevenbiggerandmoreintenseworldofElSistema.Andthesecondthingis,wewanttobuildbridges.Wewantto

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buildbridgesespeciallybetweentheSistema-inspiredinitiativesandtheestablishedmusicalworld;orchestrasaswellaseducationalinstitutions,andI’mveryimpressedandI’mveryhappytohearaboutwhattheuniversityhereinGrazisalreadydoingandstartingandtryingtoachieve.AndIthinkElSistemaisaninitiativethatreallycanchangetheworld,butwehavetoknowaboutit.EverybodyinVenezuelaknows,butweinEuropewestillhavealottodotocreatethisawareness.BrunoCampo:LeilaWeberstudiedViolaintheMusicUniversityHanns-EislerBerlin.Sheisthewinnerofmanystringquartetcompetitions,andshehasplayedwiththeGustavMahlerJugendorchester,KonzerthausOrchesterBerlin,andtheBerlinerPhilharmoniker.Since2008,LeilahasworkedcloselywithElSistemainVenezuelawheresheregularlyappearsasaguestartist.InspiredandmotivatedbyElSistemaVenezuela,LeilafoundedtheHangarmusikprograminBerlin,whererefugeesandchildrenfromdiversesectorsofBerlingathertoplayinanorchestraalltogether.WhathasbeenyourexperienceandwhatisoutstandingforyouaboutElSistema?LeilaWeber:Goodmorningeverybody,I’mhappytobeheretoday.IhadthebiglucktobeinVenezuelain2008andtogettoknowtheeverydaylifeinthenucleosandintheorchestras.Andaboutmyexperience,ittooksometimetocreateanorchestrahere.In2015wehadthesituationthatmanyrefugeescametoEuropeandalsotoGermany,toBerlin,andintheformerairport“Tempelhof”therewere3,000refugees,1,000children.Andinthismomentwestartedtothink,thatwehadtocreateanewsocietyforthesechildrencomingfromdifferentcountriestoGermany,andwestartedtocreateachildren’sorchestra,withdifferentconditions.BrunoCampo:DrBernhardGritschisassociateprofessorofmusiceducation,deanofstudiesandchairofthecurriculumcommitteeofmusiceducationattheUniversityofMusicandPerformingArtsGraz.HemajoredinMusicEducationandFrench,earnedhisdoctoratein1996andhishabilitationin2004.HehastaughtatseveralEuropeanuniversitiesandhasbeenlectureratmanynationalandinternationaltrainingandfurthereducationseminars,conferencesandsymposiaonmusiceducation.HehaspublishedleadingtextbooksforclassroomteachinginAustriaandGermany.Hisresearchinterestsincludeteacher’straining(structures,contents,outcomesandevaluation),classroomteachingandresearch,multimediadesignofteachingmaterialandstudiesontransfereffectsofmusicaltraining.WhatdoyouconsideroutstandingaboutElSistemainyourpointofview?DrBernhardGritsch:Goodmorningeverybody.IhaveasecondhandexperiencewithElSistema,I’mnotdirectlyinvolved.Sure,IattendedmanysymposiaandconferencesandIstudiedthematerialwhichcanbefoundonthewebaboutElSistema,butI’mnotdirectlyinvolvedinElSistema,andIthinkit’snotmyrole.Myroleis,asIunderstoodyou,Bruno,istothinkcreativelyhowwecouldimplementtheinitiativeandtheideasofElSistemainanAustrianschoolsystem,inprimaryandsecondaryschools,andhowwecouldimplementitinthecurriculaoflet’ssayperformingstudies,pedagogicalstudies.ThereIcangiveyousomeinformationaboutit.

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BrunoCampo:DrElisabethFreismuth,ourrectorintheUniversityofPerformingArtsGraz.ShewasborninVienna,studiedLaw,HistoryandArtHistory,andhasadoctorateinLaw.ShewasDirectoroftheUniversityofMusicandPerformingArtsViennabetween1990and2008,Presidentofthe“FriendsoftheViennaFilmAcademy”andmemberoftheBoardofTrusteesoftheArnoldSchönbergCenter.From2008to2014shewasDirectorGeneralattheFederalMinistryofScience,ResearchandEconomy.SinceOctober2014sheisRectoroftheUniversityofMusicandPerformingArtsGraz.Shehasreceivedthe"AustrianGoldenOrderofMeritforServices”,andthe"AustrianCrossofHonourforScienceandArt”awards.Ahugesupporterofthestudentsinuniversityandtheirinitiatives,whichincludesendingadelegationofstudentsfromouruniversitytojointheSistemaEuropeYouthOrchestralastaugustinAthens.AndbyownexperienceIcansay,veryopentostudentsandverysupportive.Thankyouforbeinghere,DrFreismuth.DrElisabethFreismuth:Thankyouverymuch.Ialreadysaidsomethinginthebeginning,Idon’twanttorepeat,butwhatIforgottosaybefore,isthatacoupleofweeksagowehadaconferenceoftheEuropeanrectorsofalltheuniversitiesandwehadaleadershipseminarfortherectors,andwewerediscussingtheissueswhichinouropinionarethemostimportantonesnowfortheuniversityleaders.Andwefoundouttwo:OneissolidarityasthecommonlanguageoftheEuropeanuniversitiesofthe21stcentury,andthesecondisvalues.AndI’mtalkingaboutbasicvaluessuchasfreedomandopennessandsoonandsoon.AndIthinkthisimportantprojectofElSistematouchesverymuchtheseissuesandfitsperfectlyintowhatweasuniversitiesshoulddo,weshouldbenotonlydooropenersbuteyeopenersforsomanyquestionsandfortheseissuesgoingonintheworld.Whatwealsodiscussedisthatweshouldnotonlygiveanswerstothequestionswhichraiseinasocietylikenow,butweshouldalsobeonestepahead,sorry,weshouldn’tgiveanswers,weshouldraisetherightquestionsahead,becausewehavesomanywelltrainedpeopleworking,somuchintellectualpotentialwithintheuniversity,soweasuniversitiesalwayshavetobeonestepbeforeothersandlookingtoalltheproblemsoftheworld.SoIthinkthesetwoideasIbroughtback:solidaritywithinpeople,universitiesandsociety,andvaluesareideaswhichseemtobeveryimportantalsointhisdiscussion.Thankyou.BrunoCampo:MariaMajno,apianist,philosopherandmusicologistgraduatedinMilan.DuringherextensivetenureasArtisticandExecutiveDirectorattheSocietàdelQuartettodiMilano(theoldestconcertsocietyinItaly,foundedin1864)sherealizedanumberofthematicallybasedseasonsandthecompleteperformanceofBach’ssacredandsecularCantataspresentedforthefirsttimewiththeintersectingcriteriaofchronologicaldevelopment,logicalprogrammingandinterpretivediversity,whichgotherthePremioAbbiatiintheyear2000.Since2002,MariaisactiveintheInternationalAssociation“EuropeanMozartWays”.Inadditiontoherinvolvementinthemusicalandculturalfields,MariaMajnopursuesherengagementinothernon-profitventuressuchastheprogrammingcoordinationoftheMarianiFoundationforPaediatricNeurology,ofwhichsheisvicepresidentsince2010.MariaMajnoactuallyteachesatUniversitàCattolicainMilan,MusicManagementandEconomics.Hereclecticexperienceintheissuesofmusic,andinthewidercontextofsocialintegration,hasledtoherappointmentintheleadershipofthenationalproject“Sistemaitalianodelle

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orchestreecorigiovanilieinfantili”whichwaslaunchedbyMaestroClaudioAbbadoforItalyontheexampleoftheVenezuelanSistemamodel.MariaMajnoalsorepresentsItalyintheSistemaEuropeNetworkwheresheisamemberoftheboard,aswellasbeingontheAdvisoryBoardofSistemaGlobal.Icansaybyownexperience,thatMariahasbeenagreatsupportandoneofthemotorsoftheSistemaEuropeYouthOrchestra,gatheringaround300youngmusicianseverysummerinthelast5years.Maria,whathasbeenyourexperiencewithElSistemaandwhatdoyouconsiderisoutstandingaboutit?MariaMajno:Well,IthinkourworkbothinItalyandintheSistemaEuropenetworkstartswhereChristinementioned:inbuildingbridgesandcreatingawareness.WedoimplementtheprograminItalywheretherewasalotofnucleosworkingratherindependentlyfromeachother,sooneofthetargetsofthismeetingformeistothinkaboutwhatiscommonbetweentheprojects,becauseweknowsowellwhatisdifferentaboutthem,weareveryrootedineachenvironment,wehavetocorrespondtotheneedsofeachplacewherewework,butwealsohavetothinkaboutwhatjoinsus,soIthinkIwouldgivethisasoneofthetargetsofourconversation.Whatisoutstandingformeisperhapsaboveallthegenerosity.BecauseIthinkthatallofuswhocomefrommusicthinkwehavereceivedsomuchfrommusicandwefeeltheurgetogiveitback,andElSistemaisformethegreatestmodelofhoweachofuscanworkoutourwayofgivingbackthevaluesandtherichesofmusic.SothesamewaythatElSistemahasputatourdisposalalltheirconquest,evensometimesthetrialanderrorinfiguringoutwhatworkswellandwhatcouldworkevenbetter,sothisconnectionbetweenusandthemwhichtheydojustoutofsharingandtheattitudeofsharingandthegenerosity,andthinkingthatmusicneverstopsbeinganaddedvalue,thewaywecallitwiththekids“anextragearinlife”,sothatishowwefeelaboutit.BrunoCampo:Andfinally,DrUlrikeGelbmannworksattheInstituteofSystemsScience,InnovationandSustainabilityResearchattheUniversityofGraz,theKarl-FranzensUniversity.SheisanexpertinSustainabilityResearchandWasteManagement.Furthermore,sheischairoftheCurriculaCommissionofthemaster’sstudyprogramme“GlobalStudies”,whichwillhostanIPaboutElSistema.ForthreeInterdisciplinaryPracticalTrainings(“IP”)(IPRestl-Festl2014,IPSustainabilityGroupsinGraz2014/15andIPGlobalT-Shirt2017)shehasbeenawardedseveralteachingprizes,includingTeachingAwardoftheUniversityofGraz2015and2017,shewasshortlistedforthenationalteachingaward,ArsDocendi2016,furthermoretogetherwithMartinaFriesenbichlershewasawardedtheEnergyGlobeStyria2015andtheStatePrizeforFoodLossPrevention,Viktualiain2015,currentlytheyarebothnominatedfortheArsDocendi2018.WhatisyourexperiencewithElSistema,andwhatdoyouconsiderisoutstandingaboutit?DrUlrikeGelbmann:Thankyou,Bruno,thanksforhavingushere,andyoumustallthink“whatdoesthiswomandothere,she’snotamusician”.MyfirstexperiencewithElSistemawasbackinIthink2004or2005.IheardapiecebyBeethoven,thethirdmovementofhis7thSymphony,playedbytheBolívars[SimónBolívarOrchestra]andaveryyoungGustavoDudamel,andIwasreallyastonishedandamazedandeversinceIhavebeenagreatfanofboththeBolívarsand

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GustavoandofcourseofElSistema.Andittookus10yearsorsotogetreallyintothemattersomuch,andyouheardthatwehavedonelotsofprogramstryingtoraisepeople’sawarenessofsustainability,andIwasveryhappythatrectorFreismuthmentionedthevaluesbeforethatElSistemamightrepresent.We’reexpertsinsustainabilityandinglobaleducation,andifyoureadaboutthevaluesofglobaleducationit’stolerance,solidarity,equality,justice,inclusion,cooperationandnon-violence,andthenyoucanhearthatthetopicsthattheyaddressareglobaljustice,humanrights,environmentalsustainability,peace,interculturalcommunication.Isn’tElSistemaanabsolutelyoutstandingexampleforallofthat?Sothat’sthereasonwhywewilltrytoinvestigateitalittlebitfromourscientificpointofview,whichisnotamusicalone,butaculturaloneorasustainabilityone.Thankyou.BrunoCampo:SohavingintroducedourpanellistsIwouldsimplyliketoopenbasicallywithaquestionforeveryone,maybeEduardotostart.WhatarethosevaluesofElSistema,whatisthisthingthatcanbetransferableintodifferentsocieties,intodifferentcultures,thatisuniqueandglobalatthesametimethatcanbeanelementforapplyingElSistemaindifferentcountriesintheworld?AndIopentodiscussion.DrEduardoMendez:Well,Ithinkmusicisthekey.Whenwetalkaboutmusic,wearetalkingaboutpassion,wearetalkingaboutdoingthingsfromtheheart,andElSistemaislikethis.Imean,whenyougointoanucleoandyouareveryyoung–andIcansaybyownexperience,Iwasalmost7yearsoldwhenmymomtookmetothenucleo,andimmediatelyIgotaviolin–asmallone–Ilikedtheviolin,so…NextdayIwasinmyfirstworkshopwith6otherkidsaroundmyagegettingtoknowhowtoplaytheviolin,butinthatmomentIfeltlikeIwasn’talone,therewereotherchildrenplaying,makingmistakes,someofthemplayingbetterthantheothersbecauseofcoursetheyhadmoretimelearningtheinstrument,andit’sfunbecausethesamechildrencometoyouandhelpyouhowtoplay.Sothenyoustartbyosmosis,youdon’tknowhow,butyougetfromthemthissolidarity.Andthenyouhavetogotothegeneralrehearsalandyouarewithabunchofkids,likeIdon’tknow50-60oftheminthechildren’sorchestra.Andthereisaguycalled“conductor”thatislikeateacherforyou,becauseyoudon’tknowanythingaboutthis,andthisguystopsorgivesthekeytoplayoraskssomeonetodosomething,andeveryonehastobequiet,becauseifnotyoudon’tunderstandwhatheissaying.Sothenyoustarttounderstandwhatdisciplinemeans,andit’snotbecauseyourmomsaidsomethingtoyou,it’sbecauseifyoudon’tdoit,thenyouareoutofthegroup,andyouarenotapartofthatgroup,becausetherestofthechildrenwillcomeagainstyoubecauseyouarenothelpinginwhatyouaredoing.Ifyouarenotpreparedalsoifyoudon’tpracticeenoughyouarenotinthelevelofthegroup,sothemusicwontsoundthesameway.AndoneofthemostimportantthingsthatmaestroAbreualwayssaid,andit’ssomethingthatremainsineverynucleoinVenezuela,isthequality.WhenyougotoanucleoinVenezuelayouhavetodoandyouhavetogivethebestfromyou,andthat’swhattheteachersaskyoutodo,becauseinourmethodologytheteacherisalwayswithyou.Yougo6daysaweektoeverynucleo,4hours,soit’snotthatthechargeofthelearningisnecessarilyonthechildren,thechargeofthelearningisalsosharingthedaybydaywiththeteacher,soinawayyoupracticeguidedbyyourteachereveryday,becauseyouareintheworkshopeveryday.Andhecanreallyhelpyouwhenyouaremakingmistakes,withtheposition,withsomethingyouaredoingwrongwiththetechniqueoranything,hehelpsyouimmediately,so

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itdoesn’tallowforyoutogohomeandkeepmakingthemistakethewholeweekuntilyouseeyourteacheragain.Soyoualsolearnthatthisisakindoffamily,becauseyouseethemeveryday,youseeyourteacherseveryday,andyourteachersalwaysaskyou“Hey,areyousadtoday,whathappened,doyouhaveaproblem?”“Yes,mymomissick”orsomething,“Wellmaybewecanhelpyourmom.Whatdoessheneed?”Sothenthestructureofthenucleoismuchmorethanamusicschool,it’slikeacommunitycentre.Sothat’swhyElSistemasincetheyear2000hasbecomeapublicpolicyofthestate,becauseit’smuchmorethanonlyacentretoteachmusic,it’slikeacommunitycentre,sothereyoucanreallylearntruemusicandtherealmeaningofmusicwhichistheonlythingthatcanputtogethersomanypeopledoingthesamething.Youcanreallylearndifferentvalues,asyoumentioned,youmentionedmanyofthose,andyouareverygoodinformedaboutallthis,butdefinitelysolidarity,definitelydiscipline,definitelyteam-workisveryimportantthere,becausethebaseofElSistemaisnotindividual,it’sthegroup.Soyougrowasagroup,andwhenyoulistentotheorchestra,youmentionedthatyoulistenedtoBeethoven7thSymphonyplayedbySimónBolívarOrchestrawithGustavoDudamel.Maybetheywerelike25yearsoldinaverageatthattime,andyoudon’thearanorchestramadebypeoplewhocomeandrehears,theyarerehearsingtogethersincetheyare12yearsold,sotheybreatheandtheyunderstandwhattheotheronewants,evenGustavo,whentheconductorcomesandheliftsthehandeveryoneknowswhathewants,becausetheyknoweachotherasafamilyformanyyears.Andthat’swhatElSistemameans,everyoneinthenucleoplaystogether,goestogether,andeventheypartytogether,becauseit’sabigfamily.Sothesevaluesareforusveryimportant,becausewhenyouthinkaboutit,themusicputthemallonthesamepage,andhelpedthemtokeepgoingwiththeirlives,andofcourseimprovingtheirqualityeveryday,becauseit’sthemostimportant.MaestroAbreualwayssaidthatwhenyougivethechildrentheopportunitytodosomethingdifferentthatperhapsthelifeaskedforthem,andyougivethemaviolinoraninstrument,andyougivethemtheopportunitytobebetter,andthenthatisnotonlythemomentofprocess,becauseifyouthenteach,oryouallowthemtobenottheirbest,thentheywon’tgettheresultofbeingredeemedbythemusic.Becausewhenthathappens,theyfeelthattheyareabletodogoodthings,whentheyareabletoplaythebestwhentheygotothestageandgettherecognitionfromeveryonethere,anditonlyhappenswhentheydotheirbest.That’swhyourorchestrasgototheMusikvereinortheKonzerthausorwhereverandtheygetstandingovations,notbecausetheyarecomingfromasocialprogram,it’sbecausetheycomefromtherebuttheydogoodmusic.Sotheideaistoplaywiththerules,butdoingituntiltheirbest.It’snotthattheyarelikepoorrefugeessowehaveamusicprogramtohelpthemtobehappyduringtheafternoons,it’sthattheyhavetoplaygoodmusic,andthereiswherethechildrengettheself-esteemofbeingabetterperson,abettercitizen,andthereiswherethecyclefinishes.SoIthinkthatthisisformeoneofthemostimportantthingsaboutElSistema.DrChristineRhomberg:Ihadanotherexamplefromoneofourprogramswhichimpressedmereallyverymuch.WehaveanacademyinColombiawhichiscalledtheAcademiaFilarmónicaIberoamericana,it’saprogramthatstartedoriginallyinColombia,it’saneducationprogramworkingontheuniversitylevelwithchildrenmainlycomingfrom“LaRed”,whichistheSistema-inspiredprograminthecityofMedellin,andwehavenowopenedthisacademytoothercountriesbecausewerealizedthatthereisneedforexampleforregularteacherstraining.Whenyousitinamusicschoolupat4,000metersintheAndesinPeruandyouhavenoaccessto

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regulartrainingbecausethereisnointernet,andthereisnothingwhichguaranteesyouthatyouasateachercandevelopregularly.SoweidentifiedtheneedsandthenweopenedthisacademyinColombia,andnowinviteregularlytheteachersandthehighlytalentedyoungmusicianstocomethere.Andoutofthisacademyanorchestrahasdeveloped,itwasrecentlyontourinSwitzerlandandAustria,andwhentheyarrived,theytoldmeaboutthepreparationforthistour,andthetourwascalled“giradegratitud”,so“tourofgratefulness”,andtheyexplainedmethethreevalueswhichtheyreallycommunicatedandliveddaybyday,andthisisfirstofallexcellence.Excellenceyouwouldsayamusician,okthat’snormal,butitisexcellenceinwhateveryoudo,itisexcellenceinhowyoudealwithyourneighbourintheorchestra,itisexcellenceinhowyoudealwithyourparents,withyourteachers,soit’saboutbeingasgoodaspossibleandasdedicatedaspossible.Thesecondthingisgenerosity,becauseyouhavetobereadytosharewhatyouhavelearnedthroughtheacademyandthroughyourteachersandwhoeveritiswhohelpsyou.Youhavetobeabletoshareandtohelp,andthisiswhatEduardodescribedinaverygoodway,thisishowteachingfunctionsinElSistema,theyoungerarehelpedbytheolderandmoreexperiencedones,andtheyaregenerousandopenenough,notthinkingaboutthemselveslikewedoitinmanythingsinourego-orientedworld,buttheyshareandbysharingtheyachieveamuchbetterquality.Andthethirdthingisgratitude.Gratitudebecausebehindeverythingyougetintheprogramthereissomebodyelse,thereisateacher,thereareparentswhomakeitpossible,thereismaybesomebodywhoispayingforit,etc.,andtocreateawarenessforthestudentsaboutallthisisimportantsothattheycanmultiplyit;iftheyexperiencethegenerosityoftheirneighbourintheorchestratheywillpassiton.AndIthinkbeyondmany,manyvalueswhichEduardoalreadymentioned,Ithinkit’ssoimportanttocreatethisunderstandingforcollaboration,andthisissomethingwhichwehavetothinkabouthereinEurope,thatitisnotaboutusasegos.ItwasthesameinthespeechofMaestroAbreuin2013inSalzburgwhenhesaidthatclassicalmusicisnolongerasocialluxury,classicalmusicissomethingforeverybody,musicingeneral,andIthinkthisiswhatwehavetomakehappenhereinEurope.FrankaVerhagen:Yes,Iwantedtocontinueabouttheteacherstraining.Ihavehadthehonourtodevelop,withmycolleagues,aprograminElSistemaVenezuela,becauseweareallteachersinElSistema.Rightnowwecreatedanewscaleinourinstitution:wearealleducators,whetherweareconductorsforchoirs,conductorsfororchestras,whetherweareworkingwithluthiers,whetherweareworkingwithspecialneedskids,withhospitals,etc.Ourpreparationfortheteachersincludesseveralcomponents,obviouslyweallhavetobefirstofallexcellentmusicianstobeabletoteachourinstrumentorteachsomespecificdisciplinewithinmusic.Butalsowehavetoknowhowtotransferthisknowledgeinaverycreativeway,wehavetobeabletoadapttoanysituation,anyenvironment,anyinfrastructure,wehavetobeabletoworkwithenoughchildren.Irememberoncetherewasaconductorjustvisitingusdoingamasterclassforstudentconductors,andinabreaktherewasoneofthestudentsforconducting,heisoneofthemainhornplayersoftheSimónBolívarOrchestra,andhetookhishornandwasplayingabit,andthensmallstudentsofthechildren’sorchestrawerejustlookingthroughthedoor,theycamewiththeirhornsandtheysatnexttothis,forthemfamous,admiredhornplayer,andtheystartedtoblowwithhim,likeimitatingwhathewasdoing,andhewasokwithitandhestartedimmediatelytoteachalthoughitwasnothisteachingmoment.Andthisconductorwassoamazedandsaid:“andhejustallowedthosekidstositnexttohim”,andIsaid:“yes,ofcourse,Imean,what’stheproblem?”.Ithinkwe

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havetostartthinkingoutofthebox,beingflexible,creativeandnottobetooformal,tobealwaysopentogive,whatwehavealreadysaidaboutgenerosity,it’sthatactually,wedon’tmindwhenwearealltogetherjusttocreateonebigidea.Andthenofcoursethatisthepedagogicalpart,butthereisalsothemanagingpart,becauseallourmusicians,allourteachers,allourconductorsweareconstantlyworkingtowardsaresult,andnotaresultwithintwomonthsorayear,weareworkingtowardsresultsnextweekorwithinthreedays,becausetheactivityissointense,6daysaweek.In6daysyoucanprepareperfectlyarepertoire,anditcanbeplayed,andallkidscanbeinvolved,thosewhoarealreadyplaying4yearslong,andthosewhojuststartedtwodaysago.Thosewhostartedtwodaysagowillplayopenstrings,butweincludethem,andthat’sthemotivatingwaythatthechildrenreallyfeelimmediatelyinvolved.BrunoCampo:WhatyouaresayingissomethingwespokeaboutbeforewithBernhard,andthatbringsustothepointofthetworealitiesbetweentheprograms.Asyoumentionedwehavesomanyhoursperday,it’sclear,alsoinGuatemalaitwasclear,thatitwassuchaninclusion,meaningthatthosekidsareoutsideinthestreetsdoingnothingandinfactgettingnegativeopportunities,sothenwetakethem.InEuropeit’sslightlydifferent,becausethereareopportunitiesaround,sowehavebasicallyrethoughtthisconceptmoreintermsofintegration.Wewerespeakingaboutitalittlebit,Bernhard,whatdoyousay?DrBernhardGritsch:Thankyouverymuch.Ithink6days,4hoursthatyougetthechildren,that’sinEuropeIthinkalittlebitdifferent.SoIseetwoproblemslet’ssay,ifyoulookatthesocietyintheindustrial,developedcountries.Thefirstisthepluralityofofferingswhichweface.Let’ssayourchildrenonMondayareplayingfootball,onTuesdaytheyareplayingvolleyball,onWednesdaytheyaretakinganinstrumentallesson,onThursdaytheyareridingandonFridaytheyareplayingcomputergamestogetherorwhatever,sothisleads–andIdeplorethisdevelopmentinourwesternscountries–thisleadstoaLatinproverbthatIlikeverymuch:“Inomniaaliquid,intotalnihil”:Wearedoingalwaysalittlebitfromeverything,butwedonotfocusonthings,wearenotworkingprecisely,andwearenotdeepeningourunderstanding,ourknowledge,ourskills,andtheresultisnothing,“Intotalnihil”.Sothat’sonethingwhichis…IthinkElSistemacouldbeaverygoodcounterpointinmusicaltermstothisdevelopment,sothatwecomeback–asthefamousSwissphilosopherBierisaid,oneofthemaincharacteristicsofmusicaleducation,“musikalischeBildung”,isprecision–andtoleadbackthechildrentofocusonlessthingsandnotdoingalltheplurality,andIthinkElSistemacouldbeagoodcontributiontoachangeinthissocialdevelopmentwhichIdeploreverymuch.Thesecondthingisthetime.Youknowthat,let’ssay,intheAustrianschoolsystempupilsareinschools,andtheyareinprimaryschoolsfrom8amtohighnoonor1pm,insecondaryschoolsfrom8amto1.30pm,andthentheafternooncarestarts,soitwouldbeveryimportantforinitiativeslikeElSistematocomeintotheschools.Sothat’sveryimportantinmythinking.BrunoCampo:Thankyou.FortheonesthathasalreadyexperienceinadaptingtheElSistema-spiritinEurope?

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MariaMajno:Well,Ithinkit’saverygoodstimulationinthatrespect.WetriedinourenvironmentinLombardy,whichisoneofthelargestandmoreaffluentregions,tobringitintotheschoolduringtheschooltime,andtrytoreallyinvolveeverybody.Forayearwetriedthatinacoupleofschools,andatthesametimewetriedtodoitafterschoolhoursinanotherplacetoseewhathappens,andwefound–Iguessweheardalittlebitaboutthedichotomywhichisaharmonybetweenaccessiblyandexcellence–infactifyouworkinschoolafterhoursitisaverygoodexperimentalmodal,becauseyouinviteeverybodyYougettheapplicationsatthebeginningoftheyear,noselection,everythingisopen,soit’ssortofself-selectionbyinterest,andthenit’sself-selectionbyresult,meaningthatthosewhocomemoreoften,whoshowmoregift,whopracticeathomeandsoon,theygetbetterfaster,soinfactyoucombinethenon-selectivewiththeincreasingqualityinaverynaturalwayintheschoolenvironmentAndthenyouofferthemlet’ssayontheweekend,Saturday,Sundayyouofferthemextraopportunitiesinthecommunity,sothatyouhavetheconnectionbetweentheschoolandthecommunity.Sothisforushasbeenaverypracticalmodelthatwedevelopedafter5years,andthatweareincreasinglyexpandingandgettingmorerequestsfor,andthat’swhereweneedthesustainabilityexpertsbecausewecannotstopbutwealsogetmorerequests,sothisiswhereweneedtodoalittlebitofmagic,anditwouldbeinterestingtoseewhatyouhavetosay[toUlrikeGelbmann].DrUlrikeGelbmann:Thanksforthestatement,andthanksalsoforyourstatement[toFrankaVerhagen],Iactuallywantedtorespondtowhatyousaidbefore,becauseyoutalkedaboutthinkingoutoftheboxandaboutgettingconstantlybetter,sothat’swhatyoualsosaid[toEduardoMendez].Sogettingbacktotheinitialdefinitionofsustainability,the“Brundtland”one,whichisboringactually,butthereisalsoanotherdefinitionintheBrundtlandreportanditsays:Sustainabilityisnotastateofharmony,butratheraprocessofchange.AndthisiswhatIreallywantedtostresshere,becausethisconstantlychanging,constantlygettingbetter,toputitinthewordsoftheAustrian-AmericanphilosopherandconstructivistHeinzvonFörster:“Alwaysactinawaythatmakesthenumberofopportunitiesgrow”.Sothatwouldbetheidea,andoneofthemostimportantabilitiesisresilience,andwhatwecallresilienceistheabilitytodealwithadverseeffects,sowithanykindofchallenges,andinsustainabilitysciencewearetryingtotrainit.Andoneofthemostrecentstudiessaysthatoneofthemostimportantabilitiestoberesilientistheabilitytoimprovise,sonotbeingtoostrict,notbeingtoomuchfollowingandpursuingyourplans,buttheabilitytoimprovise,sothisisjustwhatIwouldsuggestintegratingeverywhere,andIthinkthatElSistemaoffersabsolutelyperfectopportunitiesforthat.LeilaWeber:Ijustwantedtosaysomethingaboutmyexperiencefromthechildren,thatthechildrenaskustohaverehearsalseveryday4-5hours,thisistheneedthattheytellus.Wedidn’thavethepossibilitiesyettomakeorchestrarehearsalseveryday,wearerehearsing2-3daysaweek,buttheyarereallyasking“canwehaverehearsalseveryday?”,andtwohours,onehourisnotenough,theywantmore.Andevennowtheonesthatareplayingalmosttwoyearstheirinstrumentsarestartingtoteachtheyoungerones.Sowehavetwogroups,firstthemoreadvancedoneshavetherehearsalandafterthat,theycometothesmallonesto

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showthemhowtoplay.Justtosay,theneedisthereforthechildren,theyareinschoolsandtheyhavealltheseactivities,buttheywant.BrunoCampo:AndmaybeIwouldliketotakealsothesamedirectionwithspeakingaboutthefoundationoftheSuperarOrchestrainVienna.Wehadexactlythesamebarriersatfirstsaying,maybe4hoursperweekistoomuchforthem,andit’snotgoingtobepossible,wewillhavetroubleswiththeparents,thisandthisandthat,andwesaid,well,let’sdothebestwecan,let’strytothinkinadidacticthatisveryefficient,tomakeeveryminutethemostefficientlearningwecangivetheminthese4hoursperweek.Andlittlebylittletheyweresomotivatedandsohappyoftheresults,andtheirparentsgotinvolvedetc.etc.,andthenitwentto7hoursperweek.Solittlebylittleyouknow,it’swhatyouaresayingexactly[toLeilaWeber],oncetheyaremotivatedtheyfeelitasaneed,becauseit’snotonlyaboutplayingtheinstrument,butaboutreallyfeelingthemselvesbeingsomeone,beingsomeonethatisconstantlydeveloping,andthatmakesahugedifferenceandthatreallyimpactssociety.DrElisabethFreismuth:Iwanttoaddsomethingaboutwhatyouweresaying,Bruno,aboutSuperarandIwantedtoshareourexperienceofSuperar.It’snowthethirdyearofbeingmemberofSuperarhereinGraz,anditwasmydecisiontoenterintothisprojecttogetherwithCaritas,becausewedohavealotofelementaryschoolsherewithmorethan80%ofpeoplecomingfromabroad.Theyhaveonehourofchoirlessonperday,so4hoursperweek,fromMondaytoThursday,anditwassointerestingatthepressconferencewhenweweresittingtherepresentingthisprojectandtheideabehindthisthatourbestteachersandalumniareteachingchoirintheseschools,soit’sawin-winsituationforbothsides.Thejournalistswantedtoknow,becausethese4hoursareintheregularprogramofthechildren,soit’snotanaddon,andtheysaid“sowhatdoyoudowiththese4hoursyoulosenow?”Andwesaid“nothing”andtheysaid“well,theylosethese4hours”,andsotheydidnotunderstandwhattherectoroftheschoolexplainedwhichis,thatthesechildrendon’tmissthese4hours,becausetheyaremuchmoreconcentrated,everythingisquickerbecausetheyaremoreprecise,andtheyhavemuchmoreconcentrationbecauseofthisconductorwhenheliftshisarm,andtheotherteacherssaid“weusethissystemnow,wedoliketheconductorandtheywatchandlisten”.AndmypersonalexperiencewasafteracoupleofweekswhenwewerestartingthisprojectinonereallyburningelementaryschoolhereinGraz.Wehavemorethan1300concertsperyearherewithintheuniversityandonewasinthemainconcerthall,itwastheCarminaBurana,andweinvitedthesechildrentocomealongandtosinginthisprofessionalconcertintheStephaniensaal,so1,700peoplewatching,andtheyhadspecialt-shirts:“Superar”.Anditwassoimpressivetoseenotonlywhathappenedtothechildren,buttheirparentswerethere.Andthesepeoplehavenevereverintheirlifebeforecometoaclassicalconcertorevenintosuchatraditionalconcerthall,andweexperiencedthesamewhenwehadlastyeartwoconcertshereinthisroom,andwerealizedthattheirparentswerecoming.Andnotonlytheirparents,theirmotherswerecomingalone,soeventhatinacoupleofculturesisnotnormal,andIthinkthesustainablesuccessofthisincredibleprojectismuchmorethanthatwetrainchildrenhowtosingwellandhowtoenjoymusic.Tohavetheresultthatafteracoupleofweekstheyweresingingsongsin12differentlanguages,andthattheyweresinginginLatin,so,somanythingshappenedwiththempersonallyandwiththeirfamilies,andtheirbrothersandsistersandauntsandfathersandmothersandgrandmothers,and

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thisisIthinktheamazingthingaswellforyourprojects,andthisisIthinkthesuccessofasocietyofintegrationandagainofhowweshouldusethewealthorvalueswedohavehereinourcountries.DrChristineRhomberg:Iwouldonlyliketoaddtwosmallthings.MyfirstexperiencewiththefirstSuperarconcertinVorarlbergwasthattherewere100kidsonstageafterthreemonthsofsinging,andtherewereabout25oftheirsiblingssittingonthefloorandtheyweresingingeachandeverysongwiththechoir,andthatmeansthechildrensingathome.Sotheysingathomeandtheyoungerbrothersandsisterslearnthesongs,andthisisaverygoodsignbecauseit’snotonlyhappeningintheschool.Andthereisanotherthingreferringtowhatyousaid[toUlrikeGelbmann]aboutresilienceofmusiciansetc.IlearnedfromGeraldWirthinViennathatheknowsapersonwhoislookingforCEO’sforhugecompaniesinIndia,anddoyouknowwhereheislookingforthesepeople?Intheorchestras.Becausehesaysthatmusiciansareusedtoreactinacompletelydifferentwaythanotherpeople.SowhatIwanttosaywiththisis,first,beforewecanchangesomethinginthisfield,wehavetocreatetheawarenessforthepowerofmusic,again,becausemanypeoplejustdonotknowaboutthatanddon’tunderstandwhymusicissoimportant,andifonlytheresponsiblepeopleinourministrieswouldknow,theywouldnotreducethehoursofmusiclessonsintheprimaryschools.ButIthinkit’salackofawarenessforwhatmusiccanreallydoandcanchangeinthelivesofpeople,andofchildrenespecially,andIthinkthisisaveryimportantthingtodo.BrunoCampo:AnddefinitelyIthink-notonlyinthewayhowmusiccanbeapoweroftransformation,butlet’ssayforpeoplethatarestillinterestedintheindustryofmusic–Imeanthecreationofnewaudiencesthatthisrepresents,itcanreallysafethisproblemoftheconcerthallsnotgettingenoughaudiences,soit’saverylongtermpossibility.Walter.WalterGutdeutsch:I’mveryhappytohearallthesefantasticthings,andI’mtotallyconvincedthatthisisthemostbeautifulthing,butIthinknowwearetalkingabouthowwecanapplytheideasofElSistemainEurope,andIwanttotouchonepoint.Wetalkedaboutteaching,andthattheteachershavetobeablenotonlytoteachthefingeringorwhateverandnotesandsoon,butalsotolookfordiscipline,notbysaying“Now,sitdown!Anddon’thitalwaysyourneighbourwithyourbow!”andsoon.I’mworkingwithstudentsandteachersinmanycountries,andthisistheproblemwhichistotallynormalinEurope,especiallyinmusicschoolswhichnowhavetocollaboratewithprimaryschools,secondaryschools,becausethe“Klassenmusizieren”,howdoyousaythisinEnglish?Look,amusicteacherwhostudiedinamusicuniversitytoteachaninstrumentisnotusedtoteachaclassofchildreninaprimaryschool.BecausethechildrenwhocometoaEuropeanteacher,aclassical,traditionalwaytolearnaninstrument,theydoitvoluntarily,butnowtheteachersofthemusicschoolshavetocollaboratewithotherschools,primaryandsecondaryschools,andthereisthewholeclass,andnoteverybodyisinterestedinplayingamusicinstrument.Soit’sabigdifficultyfordiscipline.Andalsotheconflictsinthegroupbesidesthemusicarealwaysthere,andtheycomeoutwhenthereisateacherthere,whenthechildrenthink“oh,nowIhavemorefreedom,nowIcandowhatIwantbecauseeverythingishappyandjoyandlet´shavefun”.Somyquestionis:howcanweteachourteachersintheuniversitiesinabetterway?Not

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repertoire,repertoire,fouryearsofstudiesfortheIGP-study[instrumentalpedagogy]andtobereallygoodontheinstruments,butalsothesesoftskills.Howtocopewithdifficulties,howtocopewithquarrelsbetweenthechildren.IrememberAbreusaidonce,thatmaybeoneofthedifferencesofLatinAmericancountriesandEuropeis,thatthecultureinLatinAmericaismorehomogenous,andwearetotallydiverseinEurope,soIthinkthesocialisationisaverystrongchallenge.Howcanweprepareourfutureteachersbetter?Thisismyquestiontoallpeoplewhoteachteachersinuniversities.BrunoCampo:Diversity.InSistemaEuropeYouthOrchestra,itisoneofthemottos,orthemotto.HowthisdiversityofEuropealltogetherbecomesunity,andthat’ssomethingthatisoneveryone’smindthere,anditworksverywell.DrEduardoMendez:Ijustwanttosayafewthings,listeningtoallofyouthathaveaveryclearideaofalloftheseissues.Iwanttotalkabouttheimprovisationthatyoutalkedabout[toUlrikeGelbmann],whichisveryimportant.Isaidonceinamanagementforumwheretheyinvitedmetotalkabouthowtomanagesobigandhugeinstitutionslikethisone[ElSistemaVenezuela],andIsaid,well,firstthing:wemanagetheimprovisation.Andthisissomethingthatmaybecanbeacontradiction,butit’sthetruth.Imean,wehavesometeamsspecializedtoimprovise,becauseyouneverknowwhatisgoingtohappeninsomethinglikethis,ifsomeoneasksyouforaconcertthedayaftertomorrow,orifyouneedtodoatourinItalyforsomethingspecialbecauseofalltherelationshipswehave,orifweneedtoimprovisesomethingdifferent,sowehavethis,andit’ssomethingthatmaybewecanreallylearnabout,becauseit’s,Ithink,theonlywaywecandevelopabiginstitutionlikethisinacountrylikeours.SothisissomethingthatIwantedtosay.Thenabouttheeducationthatyoumentioned[toBernhardGritsch],thatifweputthiswithintheschoolsystemIwouldliketosharetheexperiencewithElSistemainVenezuela,somaybeitwillbehelpful.OfcoursethestructureofElSistemahasthenucleos,whicharethemainstructureswhichIexplainedinthebeginning.Wehave442nucleosinVenezuelaatthemoment.Andthenwehavealsoappliedmanyother“módulos”aswecallthem[modules],whicharesmallerthananucleoanditdependsoneachnucleoregardingtotheplacewhereitislocated.Butthese“módulos”,mostofthemarelocatedinthepublicschoolsystem,soasMariamentioned,westarttomakethemusicforthechildrenhappenattheschoolsduringtheafternoons,andshesaidperfectly,everyonemaybeapplies,butthenthenaturalselectiondoesthattheonesthatarereallyinterestedgointothenucleos.Sothisexperiencehasbeendonebyusforatleast15years,anditstartedinthe“NúcleoSarría”inapopulationinVenezuelaveryclosetoourvenue.Andthenmanyotherschoolsstartedtoapplythisbythemselves,becauseitwasasolutionforthemtohaveanextraprograminsidetheschools,andyouseethespacesoftheschoolwithmusicteaching,andmanychildreninvolvedbecomebeneficiariesofthisprogram.Butnowtheprogramhasbeensosuccessful,andthat’swhatallowedustoget1millionchildreninvolved.Wehave442nucleosforthe1millionchildren,mostofthosechildrencomefromthepublicschoolsystem.Sonowwhatishappening,inthismomentparticularly,isthatwearehavingmeetingswiththeministryofeducation,becausetheywantustobenowpartofthepensumintheschooleverydayduringtheregularpensum,becausetheyunderstoodtheimportanceofmusicandtheywanttohavethemusicandthemethodologyofElSistemainthecurriculum,soeveryclassroomwillhaveachoirfor

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example,oreveryclassroomwillhaveanensemble,oreveryclassroomcanhaveastringquartetorsomething,becausethenyouhavethemsincetheyareveryyoung,verychildren,soyouwillhavethisdevelopmentandit’ssomethingthat–ofcourseintheendnoteveryonewillbeamusician,but-everyonewillknowandwilllearnvaluesinthesameway.Sotheoneswhowanttokeepgoingwithmusichavetheoptiontogointothenucleoortogototheconservatoryorgototheuniversity,becauseIwanttosaythatnextyearwewillhaveourownuniversityaswell,sowewillhavesomecollaboration[toElisabethFreismuth].Itwillbenamed“JoséAntonioAbreu”asourfounderofcourse,sothisiswhatwillhappen.Butthisisourexperiencewiththepublicschoolsystem.AnotherimportantthingthathappensinVenezuelaisthatElSistemaadaptstotheneedsofthechildren.Somaybenot–andyoumentioned[toChristineRhomberg]thatnot-everyoneisusedtoattendorlikestogotoaclassicalmusicconcert,sowhat“Fundamusical”,whichistheinstitutioninVenezuelawhorunstheSistema,hasbeendoingsincethelastyears,istoalsojumpintonewgenresofmusicaswell,sowejumpedintothetraditionalfolkmusicgenre,wejumpedintothepopularmusic,wejumpedintothechoirofSistema,sodifferentareasthatcanusemusicasawholealso,becausemaybesomechildrendon’tliketoplaytheviolinatthebeginning,butthenyoucancatchhimbyplayingthe“cuatro”[LatinAmericanguitar-likeinstrument],whichismorenaturalforhim,it’sthekindofsoundshehearsclosetohishouseorintheneighbourhoodwherehelives.Butthenafterheisinsidewithus,youcanstartteachinghimsomeotherthings,youcanteachhimhowtodomusic,andyoucanalsoteachhimhowtoplaytheviolinoncemaybeafteroneortwoyearsthatheiswithus.Sothewayofcatchingthechildrenhastobeinafunway,becauseherewearenottalkingaboutsomethingthatismandatoryforthechildren,wearetalkingabouttoofferthemaproductthatcouldbeaforumforthemthattheylike,andinVenezuelawhathappenedisthattheparentsgetinvolvedintotheprogramfromthebeginning,andthechildrenaretheoneswhoaskthemtotakethemtothenucleo,becausewhentheyareinthenucleoorwhentheyarebeingpartofsomeprojectinthemusic,theywanttobethere.It’snotliketheyhavemanyoffers,becauseofcourse,weunderstandthatincountrieslikethesethereareoffers,butwearenottalkingabouthavingthemyouknowinaprogramlikewhereitisforbiddentobehappy,it’sacompletelydifferentthing,theyaregoingtherebecausetheyliketogothere.It’sthesamewiththechildrenwholikestoplaysoccer,theygobecausetheylikethis,andtheywouldlovetogo5daysaweek,4hoursplayingfootball.Sowhatwedowithmusicisthis.Wepresentamethodologywhichisaninnovation,asImentionedatthebeginning,thatissomethingthattheyreallygetfastresultswithsotheyhavefun.It’snotsomethingwheretheyaretherewiththeteacherlike“Ohmygod,Ididn’tpractice,Idon’twanttogotothelesson”,it’scompletelydifferent:“IwanttogobecauseIwanttoreallydoit”,soIthinkthatitissomethingthattheylike.Andofcoursewehadtocreateinourcase–youdon’thavethisproblem,butwehadthisproblem–weneededtocreatea“motivationway”.Wehavenoclassicalmusichistory,ofcourse,andthenwecreatedallthestructurearoundElSistema,andnowwehavesomethinglikeforexampleGustavoDudamel,wehavetheSimónBolívarOrchestra,thatisveryyoung,Imean,wehaveonly43yearsdevelopingElSistema,butnowwehavetopmusiciansplayingintheBerlinPhilharmonics,playingindifferentorchestras,conductingdifferentorchestras,ofcourseGustavo.SonowinVenezuela–Idon’tknowifyouknowbutinVenezuelathemainsportisbaseball,andwehavemanyplayerswhoplayinthebigleaguesintheUnitedStates,sobeforeallthechildreninVenezuelawantedtoplaybaseball,becausetheywantedtoachievetobeinthebigleaguesplayingbaseball.Nowthey

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wanttobelikeGustavoDudamel,somanyofthosemusicianswanttobeonceinabigorchestraintheworld.BrunoCampo:Sowehavetogoverysoontoquestions,becauseunfortunatelytimeisrunning,butonemore,twomore,twoquickmore?WalterGutdeutsch:OnequestiontoEduardo:HowdoyouteachyourteacherssothattheyareabletodothisworkinElSistema?Maybethiscouldbeaninspirationforouruniversitieshere.DrEduardoMendez:Icansay,youlearnhowtobeateacherwhenyouareinthenucleogettingalltheinformationfromyourteachers.Soyouteachwhatyoulearn,andyouareusedtoteachsinceyouareveryyoung,because,aswespokeinthebeginning,youteachwhatyouknowtothenextone,andyourteacheraswellistheonemotivatingyoutodothatandhelpingyoutodothatinaway,sothismethodologyislikelearningandimitatingwhatyoulearnandthenyoudoitatthesametime.SoElSistemaactuallyisteachingitsowngroupofteachers,alltheteachersthatteachnowinSistema,around7,000,arecomingfrominsideElSistema,soitislikeafullcycle,sowedeveloptheteachersandwedeveloptheyouthandthentheybecometeachersaswellinElSistema.Wedon’twaituntilwehaveaPh.D.asaProfessortoteach.WalterGutdeutsch:Maybethat’sthepoint.DrUlrikeGelbmann:MayIjust–justtoaddressyourquestionbefore.2005to2014wastheUNESCOdecadeofsustainableeducationpresentinglotsofinformationandresearchoutput,andoneofmyfavouriteoneswastheonebySterlingandhesaidthattherearetwokindsoflearning:thereistheinstrumentalvaluethatyouhaveinlearningandthereistheintrinsicvalue.Theinstrumentalvalueinsustainabilitylearningwouldbehowyousaveenergyorinyourcasehowtoplaytheviolinorwhatever.Theintrinsicvaluewouldbebeingenthused,beingempathic,beingresponsible,motivatingyourselfandothers,sothismightbetheideatomaketeachersaddresstheseaspectsmorethantheinstrumentalone.AndthereisanotherapproachbyHeinzvonFörsterandErnstvonGlasersfeld,famousconstructivist,andtheysaythatit’snotlegitimatetoaskquestionsthathavealreadybeenasked,ortoputittheotherway:theteachermustalwaysbewillingtolearnwithhisorherstudents.Sothismightalsobeanopportunityforteacherstobeopen-mindedandlearningfromtheirstudentsandtoteachthemhowtobethat.FrankaVerhagen:IjustwantedtoconnecttheideathatEduardowassayingaboutteaching.Weteachhowtoteachbyteachingduringtheteachingprocess,aswellastheylearnhowtoplayorhowtosingandsoforth.1,337,000childreninvolvedinElSistema;wedonotpretendthemalltobemusiciansprofessionallyofcourse,buttheywilltakeallthesevaluesthatwehavediscussed,andwherewouldGustavoDudamelbeifhewouldn’thavehadthechancetogettoanucleo,

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orEdicsonRuiz.Imean,gettingtoasmanychildrenaspossible,wecandiscoverthetalentsthatarearound.InElSistematheteachingprocesshastobedailyandasIgrewupinaDutcheducationsystem,Iunderstandwhatyouaresayingaboutallthepossibilities,butthenforinstancewhenIseethatparentsdotaketheirkidstosoccerorhockeytraining3or4timesaweekandthentothegameintheweekend,andtheydonotconsiderthesameeffortforsomeonewhowantstoplayaninstrumentandbepartofanorchestra,Ithinkthat’ssomethingwehavetothinkaboutandtochangethat.OurprogramforteachersandconductorsisworkingwithallourpeopleofElSistemawhoareteaching,wehavechildrenfrom13yearsoldwhocomeonceaweek,becausetheyareteachingtotheirpeers,theirfriendsafewyearsyounger,soweteachthempedagogicalskills,weteachthemDalcroze,andplayingwiththembeing13yearsoldtheyjusttakethesamegameswedowiththemtotheirnucleoanddothesamewiththeirkids.Thesamethingwithplayingaviolin,theyknowhowtoplayasong,andwedonotmakeanylimits,Imeanifhecanplayitwellandheknowstodothefingeringandhowtousethebow,heisallowedtoteachit,ofcoursealwaysundersupervision.Soit’salsoalotoftrustbeingabletogiveresponsibilitytoyoungchildrenandtoaccompanythem.BrunoCampo:Beautifulview,thankyou!.Wehave10orlessminutestoopensomequestionsfortheaudience,whowouldliketojumpfirst?Audience1:Thankyouverymuchforthisopportunity,andIjustwantedtoask,becauseIworkedinavolunteerprojectinthePeruvianAndesaswell,andwehadsomechildrenfromruralareaswhowouldgotothecitiestolearnEnglish,andIknowhowharditistogetthechildrenfromtheruralareasintothecities,soIjustwantedtoaskhowyoumanagealltheinfrastructureinyourproject,andhowitisevenpossibletoorganizesomanyinstrumentsforthekids?DrEduardoMendez:AsImentionedatthebeginningthisisapublicpolicyoftheVenezuelanstate,andwehavethesupportforallthisinfrastructureandthestructureofthegovernmenttobepartofthisorganisation.Ofcoursetheinstrumentswebuythemfromdifferentsupporters,thegovernmentgivesustobuytheinstrumentsforeveryonesoofcoursetheinstrumentsremainunderthecontrolofthefoundation.Butweallowthemtousethem,totakethemhome,theysignalittlecontract,sothisisthewaywehandletheinstruments.Andaboutthetransportationandthings,alsowegetsomebussesandwegetsometransportationpossibilitiesfromthegovernmentthathelpsustodoeverything.Itwouldbeimpossibletohaveahugeinstitutionlikethisonewithoutthesupportofthegovernmentdefinitely.Audience2:Thankyouforthisopportunity.IwantedtoaskifinthebeginningofElSistemaitwaseasytogetthesupportofthegovernmentoritwasdifficult?DrEduardoMendez:Ofcoursenot,itwasverydifficult.EveryonesaidtoMaestroAbreuthathewascrazy,manypeopleattackedhimaboutthemethodology,theysaiditwasacrazything,thetechniqueofthechildrenwouldbedamagedbecausetheywouldplayintheorchestra,manythingslike

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that.Andofcoursenot,hehadtomakealotoflobbyingwithdifferentpersons.OfcourseMaestroAbreu–maybepeopledon’tknowhimorknowthisstory,buthe-wasaverycharismaticperson,averyablepersontodopolitics,hewasalsoaneconomist,hewasalsoamusician,sohewasconnectedtothepeopleinthegovernmentatthatmoment,andhehadtodoalotoflobbyingtogetthefoundationinsidethegovernment.ButtherealsecretisthatElSistemahasneverbeenaculturalpolicy,ithasalwaysbeenasocialpolicybecauseattheendthefirstthingthathavebudgetcutsistheculture.AndthatissomethingverycontradictivebecauseMaestroAbreualwayssaidthatwhenthereisacrisisyouhavetojumpintoculture,soit’sacontradiction.Wellthiswasthething,hesoldtheprogramasaculturalsocialinclusion-programanditwaseasierthatwaytogetsomemoney.NowofcourseaftermanyyearsthatSistemagrew,sincetheyear2000itwasreallystatedasapublicpolicy,actuallynowSistemabelongstotheministryofthepresidencyoftherepublicofVenezuela,soitisseenasastrategicprojectforthecountry,andthisissomethingofcourseweneedtoknowandweneedtosaybecauseitisthetruth.Audience3:Thankyouverymuchforcomingandit’sveryexcitingtohavealotofpeoplefrommycountryhereandhearingsomeVenezuelanaccent,it’sreally,reallynice.Well,Ihaveacommentonhowthekidsdevelopthereandtheiropportunitiescomparedtotheopportunitiesthekidshavehere,likeplayingfootballanddoingdifferentactivities.IthinkkidsinVenezuelaalsohavedifferentopportunitiesbuttheyarejustdifferent,whenyoutalkwithakid,dependingontheirsocialstatus.Perhapstheydon’thavetheopportunitytogotosoccerlessonsallofthembecauseofdifferentfactors,butofcoursetherearemanyotherfactorsinthestreetsthatyoualsowanttogoanddo,andIthinkit’sreallyimpressivethatthereisthissystemthatattractsthemandthatbringsthem,andthatkeepsthemfromdoingallofthesebadactivitiesthattheyperhapscoulddoonthestreets.Sothatwasonecomment,andIhaveanotherquestion.WhatdoyouthinkarethechallengesthatyouhaverightnowinVenezuelaforexpandingandgettingmorechildrenintotheprogram?DrEduardoMendez:Well,firstIwanttocomplimentyourcomment,andtosaythatElSistemaisalsoseenactuallybytheUN,theUnitedNations,asagoodpracticeforhowtospendyourfreetime.AndinourcasewewerethereintheUNmakingalittleexpositionofSistema.It’sagoodpracticeofcrimeprevention,becausethenthechildrenarenotinthestreetsasyoumentioned.Inacountrylikeoursit’ssomethingverydifficulttobedaybydayinthestreets,butwhentheycomeintoElSistematheyspendallthetimedoingsomethinggoodandplayingmusic.Butalsothereissomethingregardingtheoptions,andIhavetosaysomething.WehavenucleosinVenezuelanotonlyinthepoorareas,Imean,wehavenucleosforeveryone,middleclassalsoattendingnucleosinsomeareasinthecity.Butthebestresultsarealwaysinthenucleosthathavelessopportunities,soinVenezuelatheinstrumentislikethetoy,it’slikethePlayStationofthechildren.Theydon’thaveanythingelsetodosotheydoplaymusiceveryday,andthat’swhytheywanttocometothenucleoseveryday.Andsometimeswhenyouhave,maybenotsoccerlessons,butyouhaveotheractivitiesathomeorwhereversoyoudon’tpracticesooften,oryouprefertostayathomesometimes,andthatdoeshappen,sotheresultsinourcaseisthatthepeoplewhohavelessopportunitiestheyhavethebestresults,asmusicianseven.AndthechallengesasImentioned,oneofthefirstonesistokeepgoing,wehavenowthegoaltoreach2million

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children,thepresidentrecentlyaskedustoachieve2millionchildren.WearefinishingoursecondbuildingforteachinginCaracas,regardingtoanagreementwiththeInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank,whichisabuildingforartsandteachingeducation.Wehaveonealreadyandweareexpandingtothesecondone,sowehopethatnextyearwecanopenthebuilding.AndinthosebuildingstherewillbetheplacefortheuniversityasImentioned,alsooneofthechallengesforthenextyear.Butanyhow,tokeepthestabilityoftheinstitutionwithallthechallengesourcountryisfacing,isoneoftheprioritieswehavedefinitely.BrunoCampo:Onelastquestion.Audience4:Thankyouverymuch,IwasborninGuatemalaCity,IcomefromAmerica,andAmericaisverydiverse,inGuatemalawehave22ethnicgroups,IcomefromLosAngelesalsoandovertherewehaveabeautifuldiversitythatwealwaysconfront.I’msogladthatyouarevisitinghere,andmyquestionis:doyouhavesuchdiversityinVenezuela,andhowdoyouincludeallthisdiversityinElSistema?DrEduardoMendez:Well,musicisinclusiondefinitely.OfcoursewehavediversityinVenezuela,anditdoesn’tmatterwhatracethechildrenhave,well,actuallyinVenezuelawedon’thaveanyraceproblemsatall,butisdoesn’tmatterhowrichorpooryouare,youshareallthetimethesameorchestraandthesamenucleo,butalsoIhavetosay,themusichasgonethroughtheboardersofVenezuelaandhascometocountrieslikethese,orlikeSwedenwherewehavealotofrefugeeprogramsthatareusingElSistemaasatool,becausethenyoucanputchildreninthesameroom,anditdoesn’tmatterthereligionproblemstheyhaveinside,andthenoutsidetheparentswhoareMuslimsorJewishorwhatevertheyhavetotalkbecausethechildrenaretheresharingmusicinsidetheorchestra,andthisissomethingthatishappeningrightnowindifferentnucleosofElSistemaworldwide,soIthinkmusicisinclusionandthefigureofdoingasagroupinacollectivewaysharingalltheseexperienceswilldefinitelybreakthebordersofthepeopleandmakeacultureofpeace.BrunoCampo:Ithasbeenabeautifulmorning,thankyoueveryoneforbeinghere.Wewillproceedat1pmwithlunchforeveryoneofferedbytheuniversity,andat2pmthepartystartswithalltheensemblesfromElSistema,justfollowthepeople.Thankyou,allourpanellists,forbeingheretoday,itwasreallybeautifulandabighonouralsoforme.Thankyou,RectorFreismuth,foropeningyourdoorsandsupportingalltheseideas.Thankyou,EduardoandElSistema,andeverybodyforbeinghere,thankyouverymuch.

Transcription:MariaSandbergBallowitz