On May 20, the Liceu Conservatory Foundation presented the conference “Music and Sustainability: A look from Latin America and from education”, by Julian Montaña, Dean of the School of Arts and Music – Sergio Arboleda University – Colombia. The objective of the conference was to make an introduction and a reflection on the role of Music in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the UN and in the 2030 Plan, emphasizing that an awareness of global citizenship can benefit the arts and culture and can lead us to the realization of actions in the framework of sustainability with impacts on a global scale.
Maria Serrat Martín, General Director of the Liceu Conservatory Foundation, opened the Conference, highlighting the institutional relationship between the Conservatory and the Sergio Arboleda University of Colombia, which has made possible the realization of numerous academic and artistic activities in Barcelona and Bogotá and has allowed many Colombian students of this institution to come to Barcelona to pursue Master’s studies at the Conservatory.
The General Director also highlighted the fundamental role of the private social initiative as part of the public service, and the work of both institutions as promoters of social awareness of their students, with the conviction that music is essential to improve society.
The event was part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Iberoamerican Collaboration Program and was attended by Juan José Martín, Head of the Training Area of the Carolina Foundation, Amparo Rojas, Vice-Dean of the School of Arts and Music of the Sergio Arboleda University of Colombia, George Abhufele, Director of the Projazz Jazz Institute of Chile, as well as professors and students of the Conservatory.
Julian Montaña has dedicated his professional career to researching Colombia’s musical memory of classical music, to the design and consolidation of cultural and educational projects, and to the training of new generations of musicians in the South American country. Musicologist and pianist, Julián is currently the dean of the School of Arts and Music of La Sergio, the performing arts faculty of the Sergio Arboleda University in Bogotá, where he leads training projects at different levels, sustainability and corporate social responsibility from the arts, and academic and artistic events of impact. He has worked in different cultural entities in Colombia, including the National University of Colombia, the Salvi Foundation and the Julio Mario Santo Domingo Theater. He is the author of 6 research publications on renowned Colombian composers’ chamber music.