The UNESCO Creative Cities of Music subnetwork have today announced Equaliser, a project to address gender inequality in the global music community

04 April 2025 - Press release

Equaliser harnesses the collective participation of music professionals from within the UNESCO Creative Cities of Music subnetwork ('UCOM') and expert facilitators to collaborate, share knowledge, inspire and empower one another; increase professional development; foster a safe and inclusive culture for the global music community; and work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #5 ('Achieve gender equality and empower all women & girls').

UCOM Coordinator Sandra Wall (Norrköping, Sweden) says, "Equaliser gives us a platform to address and challenge the systemic inequality that persists in our global music community."   

To achieve its goals, Equaliser consists of three professional development modules, each with separate third-party facilitators and specific outcomes. The modules are available to all cities that are members of the UCOM network.

 

MODULE OVERVIEW

●  Leadership Intensive (global peer network): 2-day coaching and networking workshop for mid-career professionals from a mix of global nationalities (limited to 12 placements). The inaugural Leadership Intensive will be hosted in Belfast, Northern Ireland from 27-28 September. Content includes: Self-awareness, planning business/career goals, relationship building globally using visibility and networking, mindset and longevity to sustain work. Facilitated by Remi Harris MBE and Tamara Gal-On (Music Leaders Network).

●  Skills Discovery Workshop (professional development): Mobile 3-hour workshops available to be hosted in participating cities. These workshops are for women working or participating in the music sector across employment statuses including employees, freelancers and volunteers who are keen on enhancing their skills and team dynamics. All participants join a global community dedicated to skill recognition and professional development. Facilitated by Denise Stanley-Chard and team (CLOCK).

●  Professional Respect Training Days (awareness and prevention): Mobile 1-day workshop available to be hosted in participating cities. These workshops are designed to give everyone within city music communities (of any gender) the tools and resources to identify and practically deal with sexual harassment and harm. Content includes: Definitions of sexual harassment and sexual harm within host country legislation, obligations and legal requirements for workplaces, guidance for receiving disclosures of sexual harm and supporting survivors, options and pathways for reporting sexual harm and support services available, strategies for preventing sexual harm and fostering a respectful work environment, and practical tips for bystander intervention. Facilitated by Rachel Harrison and Melanie Calversbert (with content developed through their work with SoundCheck Aotearoa).

 

One of the Project Advisors, Nikki MacRae (Belfast, Northern Ireland) says, "The modular nature of Equaliser gives cities all around the world the ability to empower their citizens with the tools and resources for safer, fairer and more equitable music communities."

UNESCO Creative Cities Network Goodwill Ambassador, Maria Francesca Merloni says, "Music is the language of the soul. It speaks through powerful vibrations that, regardless of genre, latitude or orientation, communicate the essence and truth of each individual. Honor and gratitude to the Creative Cities of Music for having imagined and implemented the Equaliser project, at a time when the need for profound, borderless dialogue is stronger than ever."