By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
World-renowned conductor Chung Myung-whun is now a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Chung, director of Radio-France's Philharmonic Orchestra, was appointed as an Ambassador during a ceremony in Paris last week.
Chung said he was honored by his new role as Goodwill Ambassador. ``We musicians have the same goal as UNICEF, which works to provide children with education and care and to ensure that their rights are respected. For us musicians, music is not just a right ― it can help improve a child's development and education, as well as allow them to dream, he said.
About 800 children attended the ceremony, where the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra played Concerto for Orchestra, by Hungarian composer Bela Bartok.
Chung's appointment is seen as an acknowledgement of his commitment to childrens' rights. Last September, he was appointed as ambassador for UNICEF to France.
UNICEF's French national committee president Jacques Hintzy said Chung has helped make music accessible to everyone.
``A message of hope and a future for all children is delivered through the core of this project , mastered by a prestigious conductor and orchestra," Hintzy said.
Other high-profile UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors include tennis star Roger Federer, soccer star David Beckham and singer Ricky Martin.