Sabanci Foundation's "Turkey's Changemakers" TV program shares inspiring stories of individuals who make a difference in social and economic development. The 17th episode of Sabanci Foundation's "Turkey's Changemakers" tells the story of Mehmet Selim Baki.

Mehmet Selim Baki worked as an architect in Germany and Turkey for years. Seven years ago, he started working with children voluntarily. He started the Peace for Music Project in 2005 with his personal efforts. With the Project, children aged 7-14 old living in Edirnekapi, one of Istanbul's most disadvantaged inner-city neighborhoods, receive music education. The Target group of the project is children from low-income families. Baki provides music education for as many children as possible and makes people hear the sound of peace with power of music. Music for Peace started in an elementary school in Edirnekapi, and provides an atmosphere for children with essential musical instruments, and recruits teachers for music classes. Baki personally finances all the project expenses.

Till today, 250 children have received basic music education from the Peace for Music Project. The project aims to increase the number of children who take regular music classes in three schools and centers to 200 in the academic year 2009-2010. Last year 2 children passed the conservatory exam of a well-known public university. It is also reported that the rate of violence among participant children decreased and their self-esteem increased; so that they can perform in front of a large audience. Music for Peace received the Deutsche Bank Urban Age Award in November 2009. Urban Age Award is known worldwide and organized annually to encourage people to take responsibility for the cities they live in. The French Culture Center in Istanbul and Cem Mansur, the chief of the Akbank Chamber Orchestra, are some of the supporters of Peace for Music.

For the written document of the program please click here...

For More Information:
http://siddetekarsimuzik.org