Kodály Australia stands against racism and discrimination in all forms.

The Black Lives Matter movement has energised important conversations and learning in the global music education community concerning systemic racism and oppression, cultural appropriation, decolonisation, and censorship of indigenous cultures. These issues are particularly relevant to Australian Kodály-inspired educators as we draw upon international cultural materials in our teaching and promote reconciliation with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Kodály Australia fundamentally believes that everyone’s music should belong and seek to authentically celebrate the diverse musical cultures of Australia and the international community. We oppose systemic racism, oppression, and censorship. While our association and members have made some progress on these issues over the years, there is still much to be done as we learn more.

Kodály Australia is committing our organisational resources to review our current practices, including the use of cultural materials, and to privilege the perspectives, cultures, and musics of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge that these conversations will require critical reflection on well-established teaching traditions and will be difficult at times. Anything worth doing, however, has never been easy.

All members are invited to be part of this important work by actively listening with an open mind and critically reflecting on practice. As part of this process, we intend to provide members with resources and practical strategies on how to be agents of positive change. By learning together, we will work towards a more just world in and through music education.

Kodály Australia
(The Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia Incorporated)
www.kodaly.org.au

An affiliated national institutional member of the International Kodály Society
www.iks.hu