Angola Solta a Tua Voz! (Angola Lift Up Your Voice)

According to the organisers, music is an influential communication tool in Angola - people listen to what musicians have to say, which gives their music and words power to influence. In developing the music for Angola Solta a Tua Voz, SFCG brought together popular musicians from different generations, locations, and musical styles. Each musician paired up with someone they would not usually work with, and together each pair wrote and recorded a duet. By fusing different styles from different parts of the country and fusing different generations of artists, the organisers hope that the message of unity, inclusion, and participation will carry over to the general population.

SFCG developed the CD in response to the upcoming parliamentary elections in September 2008. The last elections, held in 1992, were not peaceful and resulted in the country returning to a conflict state when the União Nacional pela Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) rebel movement rejected the results. SFCG hopes that this CD will help encourage people to be actively involved in the elections, as well as encourage a peaceful election process. The music is also available via iTunes [a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple Inc.].

The CD was launched at a series of events in Luanda, including a public concert attended by over 2,000 people. Media coverage included 3 television programmes featuring the musicians and SFCG staff, radio programmes, television and radio spots, and newspaper articles. An invitation-only event was held for the media and prominent personnel. The CD is also being distributed through radio and TV stations, to schools, and through music distribution channels.

Peace, Conflict, Democracy and Governance.

According to the organisers, the current CD builds on the success of SFCG Angola's previous music initiative, which took place while the conflict was still taking place. The song that was produced, called A Paz a Que Povo Chama (The People Are Calling for Peace), became the anthem for peace in Angola, and was played during the signing of the peace accords. Several of the artists who participated in the 1998 project also participated in Angola Solta a Tua Voz.

Founded in 1982, SFCG works to change the way the world deals with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative problem solving. According to the organisers, they work with local partners to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies' capacity to deal with conflicts constructively, to understand the differences, and to act on commonalities. SFCG has been in Angola since 1996, supporting the peace and reconciliation process through programmes engaging the media, civil society, community groups, and the Angolan government. They have offices in Luanda and Cabinda, a full-time radio production studio, and a community outreach toolbox that includes conflict resolution training, community organising, facilitation, and youth empowerment.