We Are The Unheard

We aim to maintain and promote well-being and safe studio spaces. It is important that we carry the torches today so we can be visible and pass them on to our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces - the women of tomorrow who WILL be heard!
— We Are The Unheard Academy

Earlier this year I was interviewed as part of We Are The Unheard podcast series, founded by Eve Horne - an inspirational, award-winning Author, Campaigner, Singer, Songwriter, Sound-Engineer and Producer with over twenty years experience in the music industry. Our mutual love of music was the safe space I needed to share my own personal story. Listen to the podcast episode here.

In the music industry, we are dedicated to taking action and are focused on developing women, women of colour, and gender minorities in production and songwriting.
— We Are The Unheard Academy

I am now thrilled to be back learning from Eve’s wealth of knowledge as a participant at the We Are The Unheard Academy. At the age of 42, a gift to myself; I am learning how to produce my own music, and a new skill which I will use in my work for even deeper creative connections and collaborations.

The first session last night on Zoom introduced us to Ableton Live 11.2, software and hardware for music production. Within half an hour, women from across England, Ireland, Scotland and further afield from Berlin, already recognising how different it felt to be learning about music production in the company of other women.

Structural sexism in the music industry is undeniable when you see the stats on the underrepresentation of women/non-binary in all areas. It is a shocking testament to inequality in 2022. The Unheard campaign WILL have a part in changing those statistics by helping to increase the percentage of women and non-binary across all industry sectors to 50%; by raising awareness, staying visible, shouting aloud, and taking action!
— We Are The Unheard Academy

If you want to know more about the Academy or wish to support the campaign, more information is on the website We Are The Unheard.

What does peace mean to us? International Peace Day 2022

This week I was back in Geneva - for the first time since having our second baby - attending #Genevapeacetalks event to mark the UN's International Day of Peace 2022. I took the train from our new home in France and cycled to the Palais des Nations.

Outside the gates, the Iranian community were protesting with regards to the JCPOA Nuclear negotiations and the recent death of #MahsaAmini. Being up close to Activists again, feeling their passion for change, was a stark reminder of the gut wrenching emotion of face-to-face activism.

Through security with passport and accreditation and inside the UN compound, I biked my way to Building E40, where the 51st meeting of the Human Rights Council was also in session. I was able to wander the current exhibitions which addressed the issues of gender based violence (She’s Gone) and the theme of the 2022 Peace day : End Racism - Build Peace. For the UN to be acknowledging the urgent need to End Racism, feels like a step in the right direction. I have observed institutional and structural racism across Europe, and met many people who have been victims of an unjust system which evidence strongly suggests is due to the colour of their skin.

As we entered the auditorium for the UN Peace Talks event we were asked ‘What does Peace mean to you?’ There were speakers responding from Palestine, Israel, Sudan, Pakistan, Mali, Yemen, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Ukraine. I quote some of them below:

I remember my grandmother’s vine tree. I remember the feeling when sand gets between my toes when playing football in Gaza... I only started to think about peace when my first child was born and I was walking the streets with my baby, dodging the bombs.

In the 30 years since Oslo, there is an absence of progress. We need real democracy, social responsibility and activism for youth leadership with fresh ideas and momentum... I hate the phrase history repeats itself. I do not want my children to go through what I went through. I want to be liberated from my fears. We have an intergenerational responsibility to obstruct the status quo, to create co-resistance”
— Wasim Almasri, Palestine, Director of Programs for the Alliance of Middle East Peace
It is not ‘What does peace mean to you?’, it is ‘What does peace mean to us?’

Peace is something we do together. Peace means hope. Peace means justice. We have a responsibility to bring back hope to the next generations.
— Eran Nissan, Israeli Peace Activist, CEO of 'Mehazkim' an Israeli Progressive Movement
I remember the taste of fear, crawling up my throat. Every time we would go out to protest we didn’t know how many would make it back alive.

Radical change is built on new systems of communication. Social media has been a haven for me... how can we tackle fear and misinformation?
— Ibaa Abusin, Horn of Africa Social Media Expert, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
Until I am able to align my heart, my mind and my tongue, I will never find peace...

Lay aside the burdens of the mind, it was self-worth I was seeking.
— Amad Mian, Pakistan / UAE / Canada, Founder

I was also reporting back to the Peace Lovers’ Club, a 10k member network on ClubHouse founded by Ella Matheson @PeaceintheCity, London. I have been a Moderator for this Club since its inception in early 2021 and we join together for a weekly meditation and discussion from around the globe. The Peace Lovers group share the view that “Peace is the presence of social, economic and environmental justice”. In acknowledging this fundamental pillar of justice, we believe we can work together to “the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible” (a book title from Charles Eisenstein).

I have noted the links shared by Peace Lovers contributors to the International Peace Day 2022 discussion below:

Contributed by @EllaMatheson

https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/06/29/morocco/spain-horrific-migrant-deaths-melilla-border

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGaxE8ybNWg Playing for Change

Contributed by @Sikuapu Ts’inapu

https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/exploiting-ai-how-cybercriminals-misuse-abuse-ai-and-ml

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/3/12/nagpra-peabody-letter/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6601530/

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01166-x

Contributed by @DoctorErnest Johnson, PHD

https://www.historyvshollywood.com/video/ann-atwater-interview-best-of-enemies/

Contributed by @KaleemUX

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/03/israels-55-year-occupation-palestinian-territory-apartheid-un-human-rights

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/israels-apartheid-against-palestinians-a-cruel-system-of-domination-and-a-crime-against-humanity/