Advocacy

AEC acts as advocates for its members institutions’ activities on several levels:

1. We represent the interests of AEC members vis-à-vis the organs and institutions of the European Union (EU) and beyond, by:
   • meeting regularly with members of the European Parliament and the European Commission
   • acting as the natural contact for the EU institutions when matters concerning Music Higher Education (HE) are discussed at hearings and consultations
   • taking part in stakeholder groups, information sessions and/or conferences organised by the EU institutions and beyond
   • writing policy papers
   • launching campaigns or contribution to existing advocacy campaigns

2. We join forces with partner organisations:
   • through mutual support and the creation of synergies when organising events and launching policy campaigns
   • by bundling shared interests (e.g. with other actors from the higher education, art and/or cultural policy sectors)
   • through active participation in the boards of partner associations

3. We participate in global networks:
   • through regular exchange with the higher music education sector outside of Europe
   • through transcontinental research projects

4. We support AEC member institutions in their own advocacy activities, by:
   • by giving advice with regard to management issues in higher music education, such as project funding, learning & teaching, quality assurance, innovation & change
   • by creating platforms for exchange and inter-institutional collaboration
   • by providing models of good practice
   • at the invitation of a (group of) higher music education institution(s), meeting representatives of their local governments (in order to represent the voice of the sector in the context of educational, cultural or other reforms)
   • at the invitation of a (group of) higher music education institution(s), writing letters to local governments to advocate for a certain cause