On the 3rd September, Sistema Europe was in the European Parliament in Brussels to send out a signal as the new MEPs took to their seats following the summer recess.

Improving the quality of childhood

Together with the Alliance for Childhood European Network Group, Sistema Europe was in the Belgian capital to speak out on improving the quality of childhood, with Sistema Europe President Marshall Marcus presenting the 73rd Quality of Childhood Talk on how music-making can help children to connect, integrate and flourish.

And, of course, it wouldn’t have been a proper Sistema event without a musical performance. In this sense, we are grateful to Verna Kaunisto-Feodorow, Yeffren Carrero, Passeurs d'Arts Méditerranée, musicians from the Parisian branches of Passeurs d’Arts and the young violinist, Esther Abrami.

Watch a combined Passeurs d'Arts team perform outside the European Parliament

Organising around the start of the French school year and braving wet and windy weather conditions, a small, eclectic group made it to the Altiero Spinelli Building to perform a classic Sistema medley to the delight of the MEPs present.

Together against the weather

Vice Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education and the day’s host, MEP Julie Ward, even got in on the act herself, taking to her knees with several of her colleagues as they sought to hold the music stands in place as a blustery wind made its way across Leopold Square in front of the European Parliament. And, both MEPs and musicians then made it inside just on time as the concert concluded moments before the heavens opened up above Brussels.

Inside, the Passeurs d’Arts team was made to feel right at home with a fantastic guided tour of the Parliament while Marshall Marcus spoke to a mixed crowd of MEPs and socially-engaged networks and organisations.

A globally diverse network

In a 50-minute presentation, Marshall Marcus took those present on a tour of the Sistema world, tracing Sistema’s development from its first steps in Venezuela through to its current status as an international phenomenon with enthusiastic adherents across the whole world. As the presentation continued, Marshall Marcus focused in particular on Sistema Europe and its members, going into our history, development and make-up and talking at length about the different types of institutions and approaches which constitute Sistema activity in Europe.

Photos of the Passeurs d'Arts team at the European Parliament

Photography c/o Verna Kaunisto-Feodorow, Kindermitte & Marshall Marcus

Use the arrows to scan the gallery

 

Following a lively round of questions, a workshop was then subsequently convened within which the Alliance’s Act2gether project was discussed and recommendations made as to how to expand this promising partnership aspiring to help children and young adults fulfil their potential.

United for the greater good

The meeting concluded with a discussion of the potential ways in which Sistema Europe could partner Act2gether going forwards, with Marcus Marshall leaving Brussels with some interesting proposals for the Sistema Europe Board to consider.

Commenting on the occasion, Marcus Marshall said:

The Alliance for Childhood European Network Group and Sistema Europe share some really key values, particularly around improving and protecting the quality of life of children and young people. So, it was a real pleasure to bring the two organisations together at the European Parliament, right in the heart of Europe. Thanks to the kind hosting of MEP Julie Ward, we were able to send a powerful joint message to the Parliament at the start of its new term.
Find out more about the Alliance for Childhood ENG

The Alliance for Childhood European Network Group (AFC-ENG) is a community of people working to improve the quality of childhood in Europe. The AFC-ENG was set up in 2006 by Michiel Matthes and Christopher Clouder and it held its first meeting in Brussels that same year. It has partners in over 15 European countries with whom it works:

  • to increase the respect for childhood as the basis for human development and to create awareness of the needs of all children
  • to develop and inspire ideas for solutions to those problems which could endanger the quality of childhood
  • to provide a platform for contact, inspiration, exchange, peer learning, encouragement and dialogue among policy makers, decision makers, researchers, practitioners, parents and all people that have an influence on children’s lives

Sistema Europe has been a partner of the Alliance for Childhood European Network Group since January 2019 and we will post more news on our cooperative activities as they develop. However, if you wish to keep informed about the Alliance and the Act2gether partnership programme for children and young adults between articles, then we encourage you to do so making use of the links below:

http://www.allianceforchildhood.euallianceforchildhood.eu
https://www.facebook.com/weact2gether/facebook.com/weact2gether