Sunday, February 28 will be the church’s next SASO (Social Action Shared Offering) and will benefit Musicians Without Borders. Registered as a charitable foundation in 2000 by founder and director Laura Hassler, Musicians Without Borders is the world’s pioneer in using music for peacebuilding and social change.
Hassler mobilized her network of socially conscious musicians to create an organization dedicated to using music to bridge divides, connect communities, and heal the wounds of war. Today, Musicians Without Borders (MWB) engages with artists, social activists, and communities worldwide. We share expertise as we work to enable musicians to be advocates, activists, teachers, and performers, with the message:
War Divides, Music Connects
Music is an integral part of human nature, with the potential to connect and bring people together across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Musicians Without Borders use music as a tool to alleviate the disastrous effects and causes of war and mass violence, collaborating with organizations and change-makers globally so together we can:
- Create long-term programs that respond to the true contexts and needs of people’s lives
- Train musicians and community leaders to effect nonviolent change
- Advocate for peace
On the ground, this can sound like rock music, Burundian drumming, rap music, a cello sonata, or a stick hitting the bottom of a bucket. It’s not up to us to decide what the music will sound like. Musicians Without Border’s role is to create access to music-making that is guided by working principles of safety, inclusion, equality, creativity, and quality. This approach opens a musical space that enables people to communicate and share.
Musicians Without Borders programs impact thousands of young people every day through music. Working in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, MWB work closely with local musicians and organizations to build sustainable projects in response to local needs. Musicians Without Borders is currently active in Kosovo, Palestine, Greece, Northern Ireland, Germany, Rwanda, Uganda, El Salvador, Italy, and the Netherlands.To learn more about Musicians Without Borders, please visit their website at https://www.musicianswithoutborders.org/
