Image courtesy of SONG onlus / Sistema in Lombardia
On World Child Day 2020 (12.06), SONG onlus / Sistema in Lombardia acted to underline the urgency of a global mobilisation against child labour, publishing SONG for Rights – TODAY say NO to Child Labour.
Originating from an idea by Maria Olivero (the composer and interpreter of Today, Say No to Child Labour) and produced in collaboration with Carnevalspettacolo, the SONG for Rights – TODAY say NO to Child Labour video aims to stimulate reflection on the crucial topic of child labour, intertwining music with the thoughts of artists and representatives of social and political institutions.
In the video, Maria Olivera's song is accompanied by the words of Elena Maro (Composer, Singer & Songwriter) and the powerful messages of Gianni Rosas (Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Office for Italy and San Marino), Senator Emma Bonino and Gabriele Rabaiotti (Councillor of the Municipality of Milan, responsible for social and housing policy). The actor, singer and playwright, Moni Ovadia, and the musicians, Saturnino Celani and Vincenzo Zitello, (who were involved in the recording of Today and have a long history of involvement in important social issues) also contribute their reflections on child labour in the video.
Furthermore, Laura Marcora (Director, Piccoli Cantori di Milano) pays testament to the committment of the young Piccoli Cantori di Milano singers involved in the recording and the actress, Monica Guerritore, reads a poignant poem, Colours, written by the journalist and writer, Mario Muda, in reaction to the injustice of child labour.
Maria Majno, President of SONG onlus / Sistema in Lombardia and Vice-President of Sistema Europe, also lends her voice to the video in a statment which emphasises what a wonderful resource music is for facing up to and overcoming difficulties. And, it is Maria Majno who reminds viewers that it was the Sistema maestros, Claudio Abbado and José Antonio Abreu, who were amongst the very first signatories of the ILO's Music Against Child Labour manifesto in 2013, underlining Sistema's consistent global committment to ensuring music and positive change go hand-in-hand.
We join SONG onlus / Sistema in Lombardia in saying a clear no to child labour and an emphatic yes to music and education. And, we ask you to watch and share this video performed by the young musicians of SONG onlus / Sistema Lombardia and Superar Suisse, so as to help stimulate more support and action for child rights, as organisations worldwide target the elimination of child labour by 2025.
Watch SONG for Rights – TODAY say NO to Child Labour