The Music Crossroads program was initiated in 1995 by Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI), the world's largest youth-music network. In 2008, Music Crossroads International, a non-governmental, non-profit association, changed its base to the multicultural city of Barcelona (Catalonia), Spain. Music Crossroads International (MCI) is a unique youth empowerment through music program, providing young people aged between 15 and 25 in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia, with musical opportunities and exposure, in addition to training in music and life skills.

Music Crossroads is going to lead a research on the creative sector as well as a feasibility study/search for partnership for Music Crossroads International in Mali, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Cape Vert.

The researcher will address the following subjects:

- Verified needs to empower young people through music
- Possibility to identify reliable local partners (organizations and individuals)
- Strong and diverse musical traditions, most popular music
- Lack of free/reasonably priced music education
- Lack of promotion/exposure opportunities for young musicians
- National music infrastructure in need of strengthening
- Potential interest from potential partners and stakeholders
-Music industry and operators: existing record companies, existing distribution companies/networks, record stores, studio facilities...
- Legal protections and piracy in the country
- Activities organized by musicians
- Government role in music promotion and in Music education
- Major music festivals in the country

Music Crossroads International has approached the Arterial Network to help them find a research assistant for each of the following countries: Senegal, Mali and Cap Vert.

The researchers - one per country - will assist the Music Crossroads researcher, Ingrid Mengod, for 10 days. The research assistant, in each country, will help Ingrid build up the agenda in coordination with her, make the contacts and assist her in the interviews and during her stay and travels in these countries.
This work will be paid 150€ for the 10 days research (15€ per day plus meals) by Music Crossroads and will provide an opportunity for the selected researchers to further develop their skills and to network with international researchers.
The schedule in the different countries is as follows:

- Mali: 8-18th February
- Senegal: 15-25th March
- Cap Vert: 25th March to the 3rd April

Interested researchers based in Cape Vert, Mali, Senegal should submit an application including a covering letter, a CV and two letters of reference in support of their work as researchers to Margerie Vacle at margerie@arterialnetwork.org by Thursday 21st January 2010. For further information, write to me at this address. Do not hesitate to forward this call to people you think would be interested in it.