Artistic Works: music therapy for inclusion

New stage of the Artistic Works Project, after the activities carried out from November 2020 to March 2021, aimed at setting up the path dedicated to training in music therapy.
In June 2021 a theoretical and practical training dedicated to music therapy was held in collaboration with Walking Arts - art, Culture & Heritage NGO, especially for minors.
15 girls and boys from different Iraqi cities participated in the training held by the expert Chiara Patronella.
The training took place in two moments: a theoretical / laboratory session of two days, on 13 and 14 June, in the central hall of the Art Gallery in Duhok and a practical session on 16 and 17 June at the Qushtapa refugee camp in Erbil in collaboration with the NGO Terres des Hommes.

At the center of the activities is the training for young Iraqi participants referring to the learning of techniques on how to manage music therapy activities with children both disabled and not, in particular united by strong stressful situations such as life in refugee camps, to promote inclusion social.

Musicoterapia - Corso laboratoriale Galleria Arte Duhok

In the first part, various forms of action were explored through theoretical and practical moments, from body percussion to the creation of creative games with musical instruments, giving particular attention to the construction of the group, to the enhancement of individuals, to self-care practices.

Musicoterapia - Attività Campo rifugiati di Qushtapa

In the second part, the skills acquired were put into practice in activities with minors, both handicapped and not, who live in the Syrian refugee camp of Qushtapa, where the NGO Terres des Hommes manages a Center dedicated to school and animation activities for children and teenagers.
More than a hundred minors participated in the activities carried out by young Iraqis. A very positive experience which, as emerged in the comparison with the operators of the field, must certainly be continued, structured and expanded.

The training, which was discussed with the participants, is part of a training course divided into several sessions that will allow young Iraqis to work through music in an important sector, which is also neglected in the country, which is that of the full inclusion of subjects more at risk, especially minors, even more so if they are handicapped or in situations of hardship.

For the Iraqi girls and boys who are participating in the training course in music therapy, it is not just a question of the possibility of creating a future job opportunity but of doing it by accompanying professionalism to social commitment.

The presence of refugees as well as of those forced to move due to conflict situations shows no sign of decreasing in the country, the camps for Syrian and internal refugees continue to be full. A situation that in many cases creates contradictions with the resident population.
The economic and social crisis, the situation of constant tension due to new conflicts, such as the latest Turkish bombings in some areas of Iraqi Kurdistan, are showing no sign of abating. To pay the highest price in this situation are the weakest subjects: minors in general and in particular those with disabilities.

Thinking about the social inclusion of those at risk of marginalization means being able to contribute to the expansion of rights for all.

The languages ​​of art, music, and in particular music therapy not only favor a therapeutic and rehabilitative relationship, but can build a space for communication with each other, for interaction between different people, promoting social cohesion.

The purpose of the Artistic Work Project is precisely to promote youth leadership in the creation of innovative employment opportunities based on the use of the different languages ​​of the arts.

Music therapy is making a desire come true: to be able to carry out one’s work by helping to build a different present for a better future.

Musicoterapia - Attività Campo rifugiati di Qushtapa

In this same spirit, the other activities carried out in collaboration with Walking Arts NGO are taking place, such as the artistic residency created a few days earlier within the Here Project, Now Together to strengthen the capacity of young Iraqi artists in the creation of audio and video productions. and the opening of the first artistic coworking in Duhok with the Art in Action Project.

Artistic Work with the contribution of Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church
Partner
Walking Arts NGO
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The Project works in synergy with Here Now Together with the funding of the FAI and Art in Action with the contribution of CCFD - Terre Solidaire