Mission

The International Society for Music Education (ISME) believes that lived experiences of music, in all their many aspects, are a vital part of the life of all people. ISME's mission is to enhance those experiences by:

• Building and maintaining a worldwide community of music educators characterised by mutual respect and support
• Fostering global intercultural understanding and cooperation among the world's music educators
• Promoting music education for people of all ages in all relevant situations throughout the world

ISME Core Values

To build and maintain a worldwide community of music educators, ISME affirms that:

• There is a need for music education in all cultures
• Effective music education depends on suitably qualified teachers who are respected and compensated properly for their work
• All teacher education curricula should provide skills in and understandings of a selection of both local and international musics
• Formal and informal music education programs should serve the individual needs of all learners, including those with special needs and exceptional competencies
• Music education programs should take as a point of departure the existence of a wide variety of musics, all of which are worthy of understanding and study

With respect to international and intercultural understandings and cooperation, ISME believes that:

• The richness and diversity of the world's music provides opportunities for intercultural learning and international understanding, co-operation and peace
• In music education everywhere, respect for all kinds of music should be emphasised

In its promotion of music education worldwide, ISME maintains that:

• Access for all people to music learning opportunities and to participate actively in various aspects of music is essential for the wellbeing of the individual and Society
• In teaching the musics of the world, the integrity of each music and its value criteria should be fully respected
• Access to music, information about music, and opportunities to develop musical and related skills can occur in a range of ways, that are essential in satisfying peoples' diverse musical needs, interests, and capacities

Strategic plan

ISME has a 6-year strategic plan which is updated on a regular basis.

ISME is incorporated as a US 501(c)(3) and qualifies for non-tax exemption under the IRS Federal Exempt Code.