Prestigious Berliner Philharmoniker signs on to promote UNICEF

The Berliner Philharmoniker today joined the roster of advocates lending their prestige and prominence to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

“UNICEF is pleased to welcome the Berliner Philharmoniker to the UNICEF family,” said the agency’s Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman.

She paid tribute to the orchestra’s Artistic Director, Sir Simon Rattle, saying that under his leadership hundreds of young people have been given an opportunity to develop their potential. “We look forward to working with the Berliner Philharmoniker to help improve the lives of children the world over,” Ms. Veneman said.

“We thank you for all you have done for the children of the world, and we just hope that we can, in some small way, be of assistance,” Mr. Rattle said.

By being named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, the Philharmoniker undertook to help focus attention on the world’s most vulnerable children, the agency said in a news release.

The announcement comes as the Berliner Philharmoniker prepares to perform in New York, with three concerts scheduled for Carnegie Hall this week.