The International Relations Coordinators (IRCs) Working Group consistently endeavours to add value, formulate strategies, and contribute to the achievement of the mission and vision of Higher Music Education Institutions (HMEIs).
Through a diverse range of activities, we aim to function as intellectual, emotional, and social capital, playing a significant role in forging relationships within the multifaceted ecosystem of HMEIs. To accomplish this, we maintain regular engagement with other Working Groups of the AEC and are directly or indirectly involved in various meeting platforms, including the AEC Annual Congress, to support the endeavours of AEC and its member institutions.
A pivotal point for us is the annual IRCs Meetings held every September. These meetings are crucial events that keep IRCs updated with the latest sector developments, facilitate learning and sharing of best practices, and enhance interactions with international partners in both formal and informal settings.
The most recent IRCs Annual Meeting took place in September 2023 at LUCA School of the Arts in Leuven, focusing on the theme “Opening Doors – Adopting a more inclusive perspective.” The IRCs Working Group organised the event to address the daily responsibilities of international relations coordinators, strongly linked to mobility, employability, diversity, international cooperation, and digitization.
Within the framework of our activities, we conducted workshops and seminars aimed at helping colleagues discover innovative approaches to fostering diversity and inclusion in our communities. Our goal was to promote an environment that celebrates artistic and personal differences, creating an inclusive and diverse ecosystem that embraces various genres and genders. This approach nurtures creativity, collaborations, equality, and personal growth and well-being.
Recognising the constantly changing environment of HMEIs, the IRCs community believes in embracing challenges and accepting our role as agents of continuous transformation. We aim to implement an effective and meaningful international strategy embedded and integrated into all layers of our organisations.
Meet the AEC International Relations Coordinators (IRC) Working Group:
- Jan-Gerd KRÜGER, Prince Claus Conservatoire, Groningen, The Netherlands (WG Chair)
- Frauke VELGHE, KASK & Koninklijk Conservatorium, Ghent, Belgium
- Dimitrios MARINOS, Athens Conservatoire, College of Music, Athens, Greece
- Oana BALAN-BUDOIU, The National Academy of Music Gheorghe Dima, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Melissa MERCADAL, Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC), Barcelona, Spain
- Iveri KEKENADZE, Malmö Academy of Music, Malmö, Sweden
- Wei Boon TAN, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Singapore, Singapore
- Sara PRIMITERRA, AEC Office Team (WG Coordinator). Contact here.
