UNICEF's 75th anniversary: Recognise the power of children through music
The first concert in two years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic
On 24th July 2021, UNICEF Moldova together with Moldovan National Youth Orchestra and Inclusive choir "Voices" organized an open-air concert to commemorate the 75th anniversary of UNICEF in the world.
Since UNICEF was established in 1946, it has been at the frontlines of humanitarian crises, armed conflict and natural disasters. Its on-the-ground expertise has reached more than 191 countries and territories, including Moldova, through committed partnerships and a passion for innovation.
From the ashes of war to the global challenges that affect millions today, UNICEF mandate has never wavered. UNICEF has consistently worked to protect the rights of all children. Whoever they are. Wherever they live.
By marking UNICEF@75 together with Voices, we are reimagining again the world we want for our children, protected from violence, stimulated by relevant quality education, and given every opportunity to survive and thrive to their full potential. We are reimagining it for all children, and every child.
Voices is an inclusive children's choir, created in 2018, which currently has more than 200 members. It initially had 20 members – children of Moldovan, Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Armenian, Gagauz, and Roma ethnicity, from various social groups, as well as children with special needs practiced choral music with the support of professional musicians. Most of the children had no earlier experience with reading music and have never sang in a chorus before.
Voices is more than a musical project in that sense. In a choir, the beauty comes from the differences between each of the voices, their sounds and their power. Everyone is equally valuable, equally appreciated, and no one is left behind. This is very much a model of the society we want for our children.
When we speak of child survival, UNICEF is very proud to count our work on global immunization as one of our biggest contributions, keeping children safe from unnecessarily deadly diseases. And so today, as we recognise and enjoy the power of children through music, we also celebrate the vaccines that are allowing us to return to open air concerts like this one, and for Moldova and its children to return to normal life.
We could not think of a better way to celebrate 75 Years of UNICEF, celebrating children, their voices, and our continuous quest to ensure that all children everywhere survive and thrive to meet their best potential.
