European Music Council

05/10/2026

🌍 is bringing together professionals from across the international music sector for a packed programme of conference sessions, networking opportunities and exchange around some of the key questions shaping the future of music.

As part of this year’s conference programme, EMC Secretary General Simone Dudt will take part in the panel “AgoraEU - What’s in it for the Global Music Sector?”, contributing to the discussion on the future of European cultural funding, international cooperation and what the upcoming EU framework could mean for the music sector in Europe and beyond.

The session will also provide an opportunity to look at GreenBeat Nexus, the European Music Council-led initiative supporting a greener and more sustainable music ecosystem. With the first GreenBeat Nexus call set to launch in December 2026, the discussion will connect broader policy developments with concrete opportunities for the sector to strengthen sustainability, cooperation and knowledge exchange across borders.

From cultural policy and future funding structures to environmental responsibility and international collaboration, WOMEX26 offers an important space to exchange perspectives and build connections across the global music community.

International Music Council

It's time for the final Conference Sessions announcement!

programme is packed: three Conference Sessions, five Networking Sessions, two Associated Presentations, and two more special sessions. 👉 Click through to our website for all the details and abstracts.

Find the speakers list in the comments below 👇
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🌐 WOMEX 26 | Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ES | 21–25 Oct 2026

02/10/2026

🌍 How can cultural exchange worldwide be made fairer?

Yesterday, EMC Secretary General Simone Dudt took part in the panel discussion “UNESCO bewegt: Fair Culture” in Bonn, organised by the German Commission for UNESCO and VHS Bonn as part of the Bonn SDG Days.

She was joined on the panel by:
• Dr. Lutz Möller, Deputy Secretary-General of the German Commission for UNESCO
• Andreas Kratz, Fairtrade International
• Yaël Koutouan, curator at africologne Festival

Moderated by Friederike Kamm, Head of Culture and Communication at the German Commission for UNESCO, the conversation explored how international cultural cooperation can be built on more equal partnerships and what fair working and production conditions can look like across the cultural sector.

The panel also reflected on what culture can learn from the Fairtrade movement, and how international frameworks such as the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and the for can contribute to fairer cultural exchange and greater cultural diversity worldwide.

The evening was complemented by a musical contribution from the Jordanian duo Selawy & Hamboz.

A valuable exchange on fairness, cultural diversity and our shared responsibility to build more equitable cultural relations across borders.

📸 A few impressions from yesterday’s discussion.
International Music Council

01/10/2026

🎶 1 October is International Music Day!

Since 1975, International Music Day has celebrated music in all its diversity and promoted its value for people and societies around the world.

Today, we celebrate the right of all children and adults to express themselves musically, learn musical languages and skills, access and participate in music, and the rights of musical artists to develop their artistry and receive fair recognition and remuneration for their work.

Together, let’s continue advancing the worldwide.
Happy International Music Day! 🌍🎵



European Music Council

01/10/2026

🎶 Happy International Music Day!

Today, we celebrate music not only as an art form, but as a fundamental part of cultural life, expression and participation.

At the European Music Council, our work is guided by the of the International Music Council: supporting everyone’s freedom to express themselves through music, opportunities to learn and participate in musical life, and the ability of music professionals to develop their artistry and receive fair recognition and remuneration for their work.

On International Music Day, we reaffirm our commitment to making these rights a reality for everyone. 💙

30/09/2026

Who gets heard - and who gets discovered - in Europe’s music sector?

On 8 October, the European Music Council invites you to an online info session exploring how market concentration and discoverability are shaping cultural diversity across Europe’s music sector.

The session is open to everyone interested in these questions.
We’ll hear from Live DMA on changing ownership structures in Europe’s live music sector, and from Panteia on how digital platforms and recommendation systems influence the visibility and discoverability of diverse European music.

The presentations will be followed by a Q&A and open discussion, offering space to exchange perspectives and reflect on what these developments mean for artists, organisations and audiences across Europe.

📅 8 October 2026
⏰ 10:30-11:45 CEST
💻 Online
🌍 Open to everyone

Register and find out more:
https://bit.ly/4AGF1YG

International Music Council

28/09/2026

🎶 What’s happening across the global music ecosystem?

A fresh edition of Music World News by the International Music Council is out now, bringing together a human-curated selection of relevant stories, debates and developments from across the music world.

Among the stories featured in this edition:
🎤 South African Musicians Are Reclaiming the ’80s - No AI Required
🇸🇸 Building an industry around South Sudan’s music and the talent behind it
⚖️ New copyright law strengthens Saudi music sector
💿 The dark side of the vinyl revival

Since 2006, Music World News has been bringing together high-quality articles from newspapers, specialist platforms and influential music publications.
In an increasingly crowded information landscape, it offers a useful way to keep track of the conversations, trends and resources shaping music around the world.

👉 Read the latest edition: https://tr.ee/tfRRUG

25/09/2026

🎷 The European Jazz Conference has officially started in Cologne!

EMC Secretary General Simone Dudt is attending this year’s conference, bringing together the European jazz and improvised music community from 24-27 September under the theme “Who We Are, What We Stand For.”

This morning’s programme opened with a keynote by British pianist and composer Alexander Hawkins, exploring the role and responsibility of artists and cultural organisations in today’s changing social and political landscape.

We’re looking forward to inspiring exchanges, new perspectives and conversations with colleagues from across Europe over the coming days!

International Music Council

25/09/2026

🌍 How can we make cultural exchange worldwide fairer?

EMC Secretary General Simone Dudt will join the panel discussion “UNESCO bewegt: Fair Culture” on 1 October 2026 in Bonn, as part of the Bonn SDG Days.

The discussion will explore what “Fair Culture” means in practice and how international cultural cooperation can be built on equal partnerships. What are the main challenges to ensuring fair working and production conditions in arts and culture? And what can the cultural sector and the Fairtrade movement learn from each other?

The panel will also consider how international frameworks, including the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and the for , can support fairer cultural exchange and promote cultural diversity worldwide.

Join us for an exchange on fairness, cultural diversity and shared responsibility across borders!

📅 1 October 2026 | 17:30 - 19:00
📍 VHS Bonn, Haus der Bildung, Mülheimer Platz 1, Bonn

👉 Find out more: https://bit.ly/4rpXTXv

International Music Council

24/09/2026

🌐 Who gets seen and heard in the digital cultural world?

Algorithms shape how artists and their work reach audiences across borders. How can we ensure they support cultural diversity and fair access to opportunities?

Join On the Move's webinar, Digital Mobility and Algorithmic Justice, to explore how digital platforms influence visibility, participation and cultural exchange-and how the cultural sector can help shape a fairer digital future.

📅 7 October 2026
🕑 14:00-15:30 CEST
💻 Online

With Rania Majed (Al Mawred Al Thaqafy), Jess Partridge (European Music Managers Alliance) and Veronika Liebl (Ars Electronica), facilitated by Yohann Floch (On the Move).

👉 Find out more and register: https://sl1nk.com/3ji4wzk

International Music Council

22/09/2026

🎶 How can conservatoires strengthen their connections with society and the music profession in a fast-changing world?

Our member AEC will explore this question at its Annual Congress and General Assembly, “From Institution to Interaction”, taking place from 4-7 November 2026 at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg.

Through workshops, co-creation sessions, discussions and poster presentations, participants will exchange perspectives and explore how higher music education can engage more closely with the world around it. There will also be plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues and enjoy live music!

👥 Institutions can register up to five representatives, including at least one student.
💶 Erasmus funding, Travel Bursaries and Green Travel Incentives are available.

📅 Registration closes on 12 October – places are limited.

👇 Details and registration:

International Music Council

Hamburg, here we come! 🎶

Registration is now open for the AEC Annual Congress and General Assembly 2026, taking place at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg from 4 to 7 November.
Under the title From Institution to Interaction, we'll explore how conservatoires can connect more closely with society, the profession and a fast-changing world.
Expect workshops, co-creation, discussions and poster presentations, along with live music and good company.

📅 Register by 12 October (places are limited)

👥 Up to 5 representatives per institution, including at least one student

💶 Erasmus funds, Travel Bursaries and Green Travel Incentives available

⚠️ Register only through the official AEC website. Be cautious of unsolicited offers by email.

All the details: https://aec-music.eu/event/aec-annual-congress-2026/