Network of Orquestas Y Coros Infantiles and Juveniles held concert to celebrate Human Rights Day

The Cathedral square at Casco Antiguo was the best place for children and youth from La Red, a program of the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) and administered by UNDP, to conduct a concert dedicated to the celebration of Human Rights Day on Saturday, 10 December at night.

The activity was attended by about 100 young musicians from La Orquesta Infantil Metropolitana, La Orquesta Juvenil Metropolitana and the Coro Juvenil Metropolitano, among others.

The evening began with the little ones of La Red, directed by Bairy Merchant and performing pieces as "pachelbel's Cannon," "Te Deum" and without leaving behind the Christmas spirit, the popular "My Burrito Sabanero."

For his part, the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, directed by Alexis Fong, began its participation with the world premiere of the "These Hands" version of the Panamanian singer German Pinzzo's "These Hands" that refers to children who are exploited throughout the world by different branded clothing to get a less expensive labor force, that's why Pinzzo uses the following text with his choir singing, "I want to be president of a better world."

"Human rights are our shield so that we can conduct ourselves with great autonomy within today's society. 30 rights protect and give us guarantees of life and full development, which will allow us to develop without discrimination. That's why it's important that our youth are involved with human rights issues," Fong says.

"The Network gets involved with this festival because a program like this should always get involved with everything that has to do with children's and youth's rights. To be a better society, as well as music and art, it's important to get involved as a changing entity that forces us as artists to have a deeper vision," said Electra Castillo, national director of La Red.