UN Messenger of Peace Yo-Yo Ma shares powerful message of peace and togetherness

Mr. Yo-Yo Ma at UNHQ in June 2017. Photo Credit: Andrea Boza

20 Jun 2017

UN Messenger of Peace Yo-Yo Ma shares powerful message of peace and togetherness

Cellist and United Nations Messenger of Peace Yo-Yo Ma added his voice in support of refugees and migrants in a video for the TOGETHER Campaign. In his recorded message, Mr. Ma reflected on freedom and respect, and drew a parallel between the migratory movements of birds and our common human ancestry as migrants. His words were beautifully combined with his recital of Pablo Casal’s “El cant dels ocells” (“Song of the Birds”), a piece performed by the Catalan musician at the United Nations over four decades ago.

“There are many ways to think about freedom, freedom to move, to think, to be safe, to express oneself, to remember, to explore…”, Mr. Ma shared with us.

Born in France to Chinese parents, who later immigrated to the United States, Mr. Ma reminded us that we were all migrants at some point, and that we should recall, “how we would want to be treated if we remembered the time when we were migrants.”

You can watch the full video here:

On 8 June, Mr. Ma joined the New York Philharmonic and musicians from orchestras around the world in a concert celebrating the power of music to build bridges and unite people across borders.

This year, the International Day of Peace, observed annually on 21 September, will support the TOGETHER Campaign.