FOUR MAIN THEMES IN THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR MUSIC THERAPY (Inspirational Steps)
Speakers and professionals will discuss four main themes within the framework of the working papers in the International Forum for Music Therapy, which Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) is organizing (remotely) on 6 and 7 March 2021 under the theme (Inspirational Steps). They are Advances in Music Therapy, Music Therapy for Persons with Disabilities, Music Therapy in Society and Psychotherapy, and Music Therapy in the Medical Field.
(22) speakers from (12) Arab and foreign countries will participate in the forum: they come from United States of America, Canada, South Korea, Spain, France, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Lebanon, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Dr. (Anita Swanso), President of the International Federation of Music Therapy in the United States of America, is going to present a paper entitled (Music Therapy to Increase Communication) under theme “Advances in Music Therapy”. She will discuss how music therapy can enhance speech and other forms of communication. She would provide examples of working with children with autism spectrum disorder and adults who are unable to speak.
Within the same theme, in a working paper entitled (The Profession of Music Therapy from a Global Perspective) Dr. Melissa Mercadal Brutons, Director of the Master's Program in Music Therapy and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Higher School of Music of Catalonia (Spain) will speak about the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT). Spain established WFMT in 1985 to operate as a comprehensive global organization with the aim of strengthening international ties and promoting the profession of music therapy worldwide.
Dr. Ashraf Kamoun, Founder and Treasurer of the National Association for Music Therapy in the Republic of Tunisia, will present a working paper on (Music Therapy in Tunisia ... Promising Steps). He would talk about ways to search for new treatment techniques capable of dealing with autism spectrum disorder. Especially with the increase in its percentage in Tunisia on the one hand, and the lack of the quality of undertaking this disorder on the other hand.
Mr. Nana Abdullah Mansour, an Educational Supervisor and a Member of the Research Team at Sharjah City for Human Services, will present a paper entitled (The Effectiveness of a Training Program Using Music Therapy in Improving Communication and Social Interaction Skills for a Sample of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder) - field study 2018). This paper falls in the second theme, which is Music Therapy for Persons with Disabilities.
The aim of this research is to know the effectiveness of music therapy in improving communication skills and social interaction on a sample of six male students with autism spectrum disorder, through their participation in music therapy sessions for some time. The research resulted in showing the effectiveness of a music therapy program in improving communication and social interaction skills for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Within the third theme (Music Therapy in Society and Psychotherapy), Mr. Jeon Park, a Teacher of Special Education and a Music Therapist at Incheon Aungwang School in South Korea, will present a paper entitled (Music of Happiness during COVID 19).
The paper includes a review of special experiences of students, teachers, and parents with music therapy during the pandemic. It was difficult for the students to meet each other in person, but they could meet through music. Students experienced a sense of achievement and belonging and were able to convey a message of happiness and encouragement to the school community.
Dr. Crystal Foster, a specialist in music therapy accredited by the Kuwait Society for Hospital Child Care (Catch) - State of Kuwait - will discuss within the fourth theme (Music therapy in the medical field) a paper entitled (Music therapy for children under palliative care and care services in the State of Kuwait).
The paper confirms that music therapy is an emerging field throughout the eastern Mediterranean region. Professionals did not share its benefits with the majority of the population and societies yet.
The aim of the working paper is to provide a glimpse of the benefits of evidence-based music therapy interventions to support palliative care patients and their families. The results indicated that children with palliative care and their families greatly benefit from music therapy support throughout their medical journey.
Of course, the forum also has many important working papers
Therefore, we hope that you consider this blog an invitation to attend and cover the International Forum for Music Therapy, which aims to identify new methods that improve the skills of specialists in using music for therapeutic purposes, and to exchange experiences in the field of music therapy for people with disabilities between different disciplines and methodologies. Provide examples from a variety of settings where music therapy can help support and build resilience, expand capabilities for individuals and groups, and open new horizons.