Music’s role in peacebuilding

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to promote communication by using music, and through mutual understanding and culture exchange to establish world peace. Design/methodology/approach The research explains why music promotes world peace and gives examples through empirical research and statistics. Findings Music (those genres with harmonious melodies, with peaceful purposes and without religious, political objectives) can break down the borders of nation states and bind humanity together. Quoting J.J. Keki’s words: “Peace will begin with simple people.” “We should use whatever we have to create peace. If you think you have the body, use the body to bring peace; if you have music, use your music.” Music contains huge potential of contribution to peacebuilding, such as removal of direct and indirect violence, igniting hope and will of life and help integrating peacefully among communities. Originality/value Peacebuilding should not remain as a theoretical idea, as it is argued that it is useful to implement within daily life. Music is a language of communication which can remove hostility. While potentially a good tool for constructing harmony, music can, however, also result in deleterious effects, if it is misused.