CAF highlights the importance of music for the development of children and youth

(Panama, December 10, 2012.) - The Central American Regional Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR), CAF –development bank of Latin America–, the Panamian National Institute of Culture (INAC) and the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) joined efforts for a symphony orchestra performance entitled “We all have rights; music unites us.” The event was attended by CAF country representative in Panama Susana Pinilla, who noted that the activity seeks to promote the comprehensive human development of children and youth through musical education at an orchestra workshop.

The performance was led by eight highly qualified Panamanian teachers who have worked with the young members of the symphony orchestra, more than 100 young musicians from across the country and students of the National Music Institute (INAM), the Junior School Music and the National System of Children and Youth Orchestras, Bands and Choirs of Panama.

Among the performances that delighted the public, the young musicians played well-known pieces by Latin American composers such as Arturo Márquez, Ruben Blades, Alberto Ginastera, Pedro Elías Gutiérrez and Osvaldo Ayala.

The concert took place onDecember 10, the day that marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations and the fact that, as indicated in article 1 of the declaration, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”