Declaration

This declaration was arrived at by consensus in a process modeling the type of international democracy envisioned in the statement itself. Four scholars (Eric Clarke, Scott Lipscomb, Richard Parncuttt, & John Sloboda) composed an initial draft statement and brought it before their fellow colleagues attending the International Conference on Music Perception & Cognition in 2004 (ICMPC8) and 2006 (ICMPC 9) for debate and discussion in a special session organized outside the context of the scientific, peer reviewed program. Each of the four authors of the original draft made a brief statement, followed by a period of free discussion, in which members of the community were offered an opportunity to express concerns about the content of the declaration, propose changes, and participate in the democratic process.

As a result of that process, the text of the declaration - a consensus of all who were present - was changed to that which you see below:

Prompted by the recent war in Iraq, waged by a coalition led by the US and UK governments without due regard for the principles and processes of the UN, and in the light of the ensuing occupation and continuing violence and loss of life, ... we, the undersigned, comprising an international group of scholars meeting at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois from 3 to 7 August, 2004: express our commitment to the principle of international democracy and its application to the constructive, long-term resolution of international problems, and adherence to international law; call upon our respective national leaders to participate fully in, and comply with, resolutions of the United Nations and its various subsidiary and affiliated organizations; oppose governments, companies, and individuals who impede, disregard, override, or ignore international democratic processes as realized by the United Nations and its various subsidiary and affiliated organizations; and seek to promote these views throughout the international community.




As an expression of continued commitment to these beliefs, a second SAID meeting was held by scholars attending the biennial international meeting in Bologna, Italy from 22 to 26 August, 2006. Minutes from this meeting are available on this web site.

 

We encourage other individuals associated with academic or artistic organizations to join us in our efforts.

• If you wish to add your name to the Signatories of Declaration by Scholars and Artists for International Democracy
  (Evanston, August 2004) please email Scott Lipscomb at lipscomb 'at' umn 'dot' edu.
• If you are a member of a group or meeting that may take similar action, please contact Richard Parncutt at richard.parncutt 'at' uni-graz 'dot' at with details about the group or meeting.