The main objectives of the meNet network

The meNet project focuses on the teaching and learning of music at primary and secondary schools that provide general education and on the professional training of music teachers. The teaching of music as part of a general school education is becoming increasingly important, and this for the following reasons:

• Its long and important historical development and its unique diversity make music an essential element of the rich European cultural heritage.
• Great importance is attached to music as a unique form of non-verbal communication and a supremely effective means of intercultural communication.
• Music aids the development of creativity as a specific fundamental skill; this can have a positive effect on learning in general and on abilities and behaviour in areas unrelated to music itself.

The increasing importance of music and cultural education in general is underlined by the fact that “cultural expression” is listed as one of the eight key competences necessary for lifelong learning in the “Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on key competences for lifelong learning, presented by the Commission of the European Communities”. These eight key competences play an important role in a great many statements regarding education and training programmes, for instance in “Education & Training 2010” and in the development of the “European Qualifications Framework (EQF) for Lifelong Learning”. Music education in Europe is characterized by a fascinating diversity of approaches to music and to the training of music teachers, which reflects the wonderful musical and cultural variety found in Europe. Although this variety has to be seen as one of the most significant characteristics of European culture it nevertheless entails great challenges at a number of practical levels. For example, the information available on the value attached to music lessons as part of the general curricula in the countries of Europe, and on the aims of these courses, is insufficient. The meNet project has therefore set itself the principal objective of tackling these topics and problems with the aid of an integrated approach that will analyse and describe music education in Europe from a variety of different perspectives.

For further information:

• The networks PracticalValue
• How the network will initiate SituationChanges of education in schools
• SpecificAims
• Fundamental PedagogicalAndDidacticApproaches and concepts
• Type and scope of the TargetGroups
• ExpectedOutcome for the target Groups
• The networks's InnovativeCharacter

-- meNet project team- 28 Aug 2006