The concert celebrates the 25th anniversary of Child Labor Convention No. 182 with a rousing musical performance

GENEVA (ILO News) – In a celebration of both music and commitment, the ILO headquarters in Geneva welcomed the Children’s Symphony Orchestra from Sliven, Bulgaria, for a special concert on September 26, 2024.

The event entitled “Music Against Child Labor” was jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of Bulgaria and Alliance 8.7 in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the worst forms of child labor Labor Convention (No. 182).

The concert was part of the “Music vs the Street” project, an initiative launched by Bulgarian violinist Georgi Kalaidjiev in 2008. The project provides music lessons and essential support to at-risk children, including former street children and children from disadvantaged backgrounds in the city of Sliven. The impact was profound, providing not only musical training but also education, food and medical care to children ages 4 to 18.

The event opened with speeches from high-level representatives, including Ambassador Juri Sterk, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria, and Ambassador Julio Fuentes, Chairman of the 8.7 Alliance. Georgi Kalaidjiev gave a short talk about the history and achievements of the “Music vs the Street” initiative before the orchestra delivered an inspiring 40-minute performance.

© ILO/Ndiaye, A.

Following the concert, attendees gathered for a reception at Les Morillons, where discussions highlighted ongoing global efforts to eliminate child labor and how initiatives such as Music vs the Street can provide a better future for at-risk youth.

As part of the ILO Music Against Child Labor (MACLI) initiative, the concert highlighted the importance of creative solutions in the fight against child labor. MACLI was launched by the ILO in 2013 and calls on musicians worldwide to dedicate concerts or songs to the fight against child labor. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness of child labor and empower children through music lessons and encourage them to attend and stay in school. MACLI aims to empower children, including those who used to do child labor, by providing them with music education that strengthens their skills and encourages them to continue their education. This concert highlighted the important role of music in advocating for social justice and supporting vulnerable children worldwide.