Key Change Music and The Oaktree Foundation recently oversaw the “Collaboration 4 Change” initiative in Australia.

Collaboration 4 Change (C4C) is a global movement that is creating positive social change through music.

C4C was conceived by two young people from opposite sides of the world who, despite their different backgrounds, were brought together by their love of music and their commitment to addressing important global issues. Nic Mackay is an Australian, a law graduate and the co-founder of The Oaktree Foundation. Dawn Mlotshwa is a South African, who was the inaugural Director of Oaktree in South Africa and has worked in the South African music industry for several years as an artist and businesswoman. In 2008, Nic and Dawn established a non-profit organisation called Key Change Music and developed the Collaboration 4 Change initiative.

Key Change Music oversaw the debut of C4C in South Africa in 2008 in partnership with Nelson Mandela’s 46664. In 2009, Collaboration 4 Change came to Australia through a partnership between Key Change Music and The Oaktree Foundation.

The centrepiece of C4C: Australia was a tour by the inspirational South African Zulu Choir. The Choir toured Australia over 3 weeks from 24 August - 13 September. They performed 14 concerts (including 5 sell outs) in city and regional areas in VIC, NSW, ACT & WA. The Choir’s concerts took audiences on a journey of perseverance, hope and inspiration by telling the story of South Africa through music.

Throughout the tour, the South African Zulu Choir took part in cultural exchange “festivals” in a number of Australian high schools. The Choir also recorded a collaborative song called “Lay Your Weapons Down” with band Evermore, and recorded a version of the St Kilda Saints them song, “When The Saints Go Marching In”, which will be broadcast on Channel 10 as part of the coverage of the AFL Grand Final.

The “Collaboration 4 Change” South African Zulu Choir tour served to form meaningful connections between Australia and South Africa. More specifically, the project used music to:

1. Educate Australian school students about issues of social justice and being global citizens who care for others at home and abroad;
2. Share the story of South Africa and the challenges its people have overcome, bringing hope to Australians who are facing their own challenges;
3. Mobilise Australians to take action on poverty, in particular by advocating for the Millennium Development Goals; and
   
4. Raise funds for sustainable education programs in South Africa.

The Choir too were deeply impacted by their time in Australia and expressed their desire to become the future leaders of South Africa and the world.

Collaboration 4 Change was made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Young Australians, Australian Youth Forum, Department of the Environment, Water Heritage & the Arts, Monash University, Metago, Nando’s, Mission Travel Group, Lander & Rogers, and Night & Day, and media partnerships with MTV Australia, MySpace and NOVA Radio.

See below for quotes of support for the Collaboration 4 Change movement:

“[C4C] is an outstanding example of a youth-led initiative, which can help create a high impact and positive social change… we are extremely excited to be supporting and working with Collaboration 4 Change: Australia.”
Adam Smith (CEO, Foundation of Young Australians)

“At a time when the discrepancy between the rich and the poor has never been more extreme, events like C4C have never been more important. It has my full support.”
Wil Anderson (Comedian, Radio and TV Personality)

“C4C demonstrates all the attitudes that are necessary to make the world a better place. I am proud to support them in there current endeavours…“
Harry O’Brien (Collingwood Football Club star, and Youth Ambassador)