Funded by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture, the Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus will perform a concert at the United Nations Headquarters on July 23rd, 2025, during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
NEW YORK, - The Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus, a vibrant ensemble known for harnessing the power of the arts for global impact, returns to the United Nations for a landmark performance spotlighting youth voices and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The voices of these young changemakers, ages 8 to 18, will once again fill the halls of the UN Headquarters during a special lunchtime concert that continues their seven-year tradition of activating creativity as a force for global progress. They will be accompanied by the iconic HandaHarmony Sing for Hope Piano, a permanent fixture in the United Nations’ collection since 2022. Designed by Sing for Hope Artist Partners Chris Soria and Danielle McDonald, it brings to life the 17 SDGs and their overarching mission to end poverty, enhance living standards, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
Through their chosen pieces, the SFH HandaHarmony Youth Chorus’s performance powerfully underscores the essential role of youth voices in advancing the SDGs and galvanizing global leaders. Their melodies carry heartfelt messages of hope, unity, and the call for sustainable solutions in today’s deeply interconnected world. Each note serves as a testament to the potential of young people to envision and advocate for a brighter future.
This year’s concert holds added significance as Sing for Hope prepares its Global Goals Arts Curriculum. This digital educational platform, designed for educators of students in grades 5-12, offers a free and accessible resource. It uniquely empowers both educators and youth to explore complex global issues through diverse artistic expressions (including music, visual art, dance, creative writing, and drama), fostering informed advocacy for a more just and sustainable world. The performance by the Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus at the UN serves as a living embodiment of the curriculum’s goals, demonstrating how young people can actively engage with global challenges through creative action.
Dr. Haruhisa Handa, Sing for Hope’s Global Patron and founder of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC), shares his profound perspective: “Music and the arts have the power to transform human hearts and minds, to draw us inward and upward to make the world around us a better place. Sing for Hope continues to leverage this power to illuminate and create a brighter, more sustainable future.”
Sing for Hope Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Monica Yunus reflected on the enduring impact of the young performers: “Every year, I’m deeply inspired by how these young artists don’t just perform, they amplify vital messages of hope and change. Their voices give life to the Global Goals and demonstrate how youth creativity is a driving force for positive impact.”
Echoing this sentiment, Camille Zamora, Sing for Hope Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, added: “The Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus embodies the true spirit of arts education that goes beyond technique. It’s about empowering young people to find their voice, engage with the world, and lead as advocates for justice and sustainability on a global stage.”
For more information on the Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus and its Global Goals initiatives, please visit www.SingforHope.org .
Sing for Hope harnesses the power of the arts to create a better world. Our creative programs bring hope, healing, and connection to millions of people in hospitals, schools, care facilities, refugee camps, transit hubs, and public spaces worldwide. A non-profit organization founded in New York City in response to the events of 9/11, Sing for Hope partners with hundreds of community-based organizations, mobilizes thousands of artists in creative service, and produces artist-created Sing for Hope Pianos across the US and around the world. The official Cultural Partner of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, Sing for Hope champions art for all because we believe the arts have an unmatched capacity to uplift, unite, and heal.
Sing for Hope’s work is made possible by the Sing for Hope Founders’ Circle: The International Foundation for Arts and Culture (Dr. Haruhisa Handa, Sing for Hope Global Patron), The Arnhold Foundation in loving memory of Sissy and Henry Arnhold, The Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, The Anna-Maria & Stephen Kellen Foundation, Jacqueline Novogratz and Chris Anderson, Pershing Square Philanthropies, The Seedlings Foundation, and Ann Ziff; The National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts; Fosun International; and the generosity of donors like you. Learn more at singforhope.org .
