Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Promoting Peace, Education, And Cultural Exchange through Music Diplomacy Act” or the “PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act”.
Promoting Peace, Education, And Cultural Exchange through Music Diplomacy Act
A BILL
To authorize music-related exchange programs facilitated by the Department of State and relevant private sector partnerships, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
music is an important conveyer of culture and can be used to communicate values and build understanding between communities;
musical artists play a valuable role in cross-cultural exchange, and their works and performances can promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts;
the music industry in the United States has made important contributions to American society and culture, and musicians and industry professionals in the United States can offer valuable expertise to young musical artists around the world; and
the United States Government should promote exchange programs, especially programs that leverage the expertise and resources of the private sector, that give young musical artists from around the world the chance to improve their skills, share ideas, learn about American culture, and develop the necessary skills to support conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts in their communities and broader societies.
Sec. 3 Authorization of music-related exchange programs
The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (commonly referred to as the Fulbright-Hays Act) is amended—
in section 102(a)(2) (22 U.S.C. 2452(a)(2))—
in clause (iii), by striking “assemblies;” and inserting “assemblies; and”; and
in clause (iv)—
by inserting “, including in coordination and consultation with the private sector,” before “similar”; and
by striking “national interest.” and inserting “national interest; and”; and
in section 112(a) (22 U.S.C. 2460(a))—
in paragraph (8), by striking “and” after the semicolon at the end;
in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(10) exchange programs, including in coordination and consultation with the private sector, focused on music and the performing arts that provide opportunities for foreign nationals and Americans to build cross-cultural understanding and advance peace abroad.”
Sec. 4 Private sector partnerships
In general— The Secretary of State should continue to partner with the private sector in support of music-related exchange programs implemented by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), leverage private sector expertise in developing and implementing such programs, and expand networking and mentorship opportunities for program participants.
Authorization of certain partnerships— The Secretary of State is authorized to partner with the private sector to recognize musicians whose works or performances have advanced peace abroad and who could contribute to networking and mentorship opportunities for participants of music-related exchange programs implemented by ECA.
Sec. 5 Strategy
In general— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for advancing United States foreign policy goals, including conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, through music-related exchange programs implemented by ECA. The strategy shall include—
a description of clearly defined annual goals, targets, and planned outcomes for each music-related exchange program;
a plan to monitor and evaluate each music-related exchange program and progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and planned outcomes, including measurable benchmarks;
a plan to ensure that music-related exchange programs are promoting United States foreign policy objectives, including ensuring such programs are clearly branded and paired with robust public diplomacy efforts;
a plan to pursue partnerships with the private sector while implementing music-related exchange programs, including leveraging industry expertise and expanding networking and mentorship opportunities for program participants; and
examples of how ECA’s music-related exchange programs have contributed to conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts to date, including through participant and alumni actions;
a description of lessons learned regarding how to better encourage conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts through ECA’s music-related exchange programs; and
a plan to incorporate such lessons learned into relevant current and future programming.
Consultation— In developing the strategy required under subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall consult with the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, as well as relevant private sector partners.
Appropriate congressional committees defined— In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.