Jameela Al Qasimi: “We are proud of the achievement that is added to our record in SCHS”
Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), was very proud of the pioneering step that SCHS achieved on both the professional and knowledge levels through the International Music Therapy Forum (Inspirational Steps).
She emphasized that the distinguished participation of a group of international specialists in the forum through working papers and specialized presentations represented an important addition to enrich the field in the future.
Her Highness appreciated the efforts made by SCHS team and the great eagerness to keep pace with the latest international practices in this field.
This came at the opening of the International Music Therapy Forum organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (remotely) on March 6 and 7, 2021 under the slogan (Inspirational Steps) with the participation of (22) speakers from (12) Arab and foreign countries.
SCHS has a message and principle
The General Coordinator of the forum Ms. Khadija Bamakhramah commenced the forum with an opening speech. SCHS, established forty-two years ago, does not look at the issues of persons with disabilities as a matter of performing the duty, but rather believes firmly that it has a mission and principle. It seeks to achieve and raise awareness about them, in cooperation with the concerned authorities and community institutions locally, regionally and internationally.
Therefore, SCHS attaches great importance to educating society on these issues and rights and urges its members to talk about and discuss them in preparation for the desired integration. SCHS has been organizing conferences, lectures and forums whether inside or outside the country.
Bamakhramah has confirmed that in the midst of the conditions that the world is experiencing due to the (COVID 19) pandemic, the importance of the international forum comes as "inspirational steps" based on the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services’ keenness to include a music therapy program in its services for people with disabilities. Music therapy is one of the best rehabilitative and therapeutic programs that contribute to the development of persons with disabilities motor, sensory, social, linguistic and educational skills and abilities. It is also one of the supportive treatments in other medical and psychological fields.
She indicated that this forum is the fruit of a great effort, hard work and strategic plans that SCHS developed and implemented until it reached its position in the music therapy program. SCHS has been organizing the program in cooperation with the University of Iowa in Korea since 2013. It achieved impressive results on more than one level.
Through its organization of the International Music Therapy Forum (Inspirational Steps), SCHS does not aim to achieve a specific goal, but rather seeks to exchange experiences, build partnerships, and strengthen and activate the program at the regional and global levels. Given its impact on developing skills, not only for persons with disabilities, but also for all members of society.
Four Main Themes
Speakers and professionals presented four main theme in the forum. 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.
The first session - the first day
Dr. (Anita Swanso), President of the International Federation of Music Therapy in the United States of America, presented a paper entitled (Music Therapy to Increase Communication) under theme “Advances in Music Therapy”. She discussed how music therapy could enhance speech and other forms of communication. She provided examples of working with children with autism spectrum disorder and adults who are unable to speak.
After that, 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) talked 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, presented a working paper on (Music Therapy in Tunisia ... Promising Steps). He talked 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.
Mrs. Pascal Abdou Al-Rami, a Speech and Language Therapist at the Al-Hadi Foundation (Lebanese Republic), presented a study on the institution's experience in music therapy and its impact on persons with disabilities.
The second session - the first day
Within the second theme (music therapy for people with disabilities), the second session was chaired by Ahlam Sulaiman Khalfan, a teacher of special education and a graduate of the music therapy program in Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.
Mrs. Nana Abdullah Mansour, an Educational Supervisor and a Member of the Research Team at Sharjah City for Human Services, presented 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).
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.
After that, Safaa Gharsali, a researcher and specialist in psychotherapy and creative arts therapy (Paris Descartes University - France) presented a paper entitled (Inclusion of rhythmic music techniques in drama therapy sessions and their impact on brain functions of persons with disabilities).
She talked about a combination therapy protocol that activates the auditory canal, which plays a fundamental role in strengthening the sensory connections in parallel with the drama therapy approach and theater techniques.
Then, Ms. Hamda Al-Ketbi, a Teacher of Special Education and a Graduate of the Music Therapy Program at the City of Human Services, presented a case study on the effect of music therapy on developing cognitive skills among children with intellectual disabilities.
Third session - first day
Dr. Gaiul Yu, Assistant Professor, Department of Music Therapy at Iowa Women's University (South Korea) chaired the third session within the third theme (Music Therapy in Society and Psychotherapy).
In this session, Dr. Guyoung Lee, Associate Professor of the Augsburg Music Therapy Program (USA), talked about building an inclusive society through music groups.
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, presented 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. Yoon Sel-Soh, Assistant Professor and Director of Music Therapy at Marywood University in the United States of America, gave a presentation entitled (Collective Use of Drums for Treatment in a School Violence Prevention Program).
Then Jenny Diouf Lewis, a music therapist and researcher at the Iowa Music Therapy Research Center (France) presented a case study entitled (Experience in Individual Music Therapy for the Elderly). Then the first day witnessed open discussions about working papers, after which certificates were distributed.
The second day - the first session
The activities of the International Forum for Music Therapy continued for the second day. The first session was within the first theme (Developments of Music Therapy) headed by Dr. Rehab Al-Jabali, President of the National Association for Music Therapy (Republic of Tunisia).
Dr. Petra Kern, Editor-in-Chief of Early Childhood Magazine, former President of the International Federation of Music Therapy (USA) spoke about the passion for a goal and the way in which music therapists make a difference.
Then Dr. Indra F. Silvarajah Chairman of the International Crisis Intervention Committee (World Federation for Music Therapy) talked about the role of the International Federation of Music Therapy in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. As for Aksana Kavaliova Musi, a music therapist at the Niagara Family Counseling Center (Canada), she talked in her paper about introducing music therapy to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Inas Awad Al-Nuaimi, a teacher of special education and a graduate of the music therapy program at Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, discussed the experience of music therapy and its impact on developing the capacities of deaf children at the Al-Amal School for the Deaf affiliated with the city.
The second session - the second day
Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of the SCHS, chaired this session within the second theme (Music Therapy for People with Disabilities).
In this session, Cheon SA Kim, a PhD student at Iowa Women's University (South Korea), presented a case study entitled (Structured singing therapy to enhance the concept of speech in children with intellectual disabilities).
As for Fatima Rashid Al-Qaidi, a teacher of special education and a graduate of the music therapy program in the city also presented a case study entitled (The effect of music therapy on developing communication skills among people with autism spectrum disorder).
Ms. Yrak Kang, a PhD student at the University of Iowa, presented a working paper on parents' perceptions of children with disabilities towards music therapy in the United Arab Emirates.
In turn, Ms. Sarah Rabee Fadl, a teacher of special education and a graduate of the music therapy program in Medina, presented a paper entitled The Effect of Music Therapy on Improving Cognitive Abilities of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The third session - the second day
The third session came within the fourth theme (music therapy in the medical field). Dr. Soo Ji Kim, Director of the Iowa Institute of Arts and Therapy Education at Iowa University chaired this session.
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.
Whereas, Dr. Patsy Tan, a researcher at the University of Adelaide and a physician at the Royal Hospital of Adelaide - Australia, presented a prospective, randomized study of inpatient music therapy.
Dr. Al-Wizeh Al-Saleh Soltani, a lecturer at the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at the University of Batna (People's Democratic Republic of Algeria), presented a paper on music therapy as a suggested early intervention strategy for children with disabilities.
At the conclusion of the forum, recommendations were presented and certificates distributed.