By Admin1 (admin) on Saturday, July 05, 2003 - 12:02 pm: Edit Post |
After befriending some independent rock musicians as a Peace Corps volunteer in Latvia, Jossett Gauley became interested in why these musicians wanted to create their own legal NGO
After befriending some independent rock musicians as a Peace Corps volunteer in Latvia, Jossett Gauley became interested in why these musicians wanted to create their own legal NGO
Jossett Gauley: Rock music in Latvia
"They believe in a 'do it yourself' approach to life." That's how Jossett Gauley describes the population of 18- to 34-year-old Latvian independent musicians he is working with on his Fulbright research. After befriending some independent rock musicians as a Peace Corps volunteer in Latvia, Gauley became interested in why these musicians wanted to create their own legal NGO. So, he went back to Latvia, this time with a Fulbright grant, to learn more.
"The main thing I've discovered is that legality-having a piece of paper that says 'it's okay to play this kind of music' or 'you can have a concert' or 'you can organize a community festival'-means a great deal in a transitional society like Latvia," he says. "These groups were once harassed by police and prevented from presenting their art. Today, they have become major players in their communities."
He has also discovered that NGO status can change members' views of the community. He recalled several cases in which NGO members have claimed giving up drinking or drugs as their involvement in the NGO increased. NGO members are also more likely to become involved in their communities, Gauley adds.
To better understand the community conditions that facilitate the emergence of these organizations-as well as how these groups empower themselves and promote their ideas through democratic institutions in Latvia-Gauley undertook a comprehensive study of the Latvian NGO sector. He reviewed youth policy in the region and conducted two case studies with local bands.
"In both studies, I worked closely with young independent artists. I also conducted focus groups with high school students to understand their perspectives of their communities, how they are affected by community institutions, and how they perceive culture change," he says. Gauley also interviewed community business leaders, government officials and educators.
As he sorts through the data in the next stage of his research, Gauley recalls one of his favorite interviews with the mayor of Kuldiga, Latvia. "He told me one of the groups I was studying was the most influential NGO/community organization in the town. This is the same group of young people once labeled as 'drug dealers' and 'hooligans.'"