The Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU) has announced that the “Sumi Jo-KNCU Charity Concert for Education” was held with great success on Thursday, September 1st in Icheon City, in the Republic of Korea. Following the concert, which was co-organized by KNCU, Icheon City and SMI Entertainment (Sumi Jo’s agency), Ms. Jo announced that all proceeds from the concert would be donated to KNCU’s “Bridge Programme,” which supports education in Africa and Asia.

The internationally acclaimed, Grammy award-winning soprano Sumi Jo was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2003 in recognition of her commitment to the promotion of Korean culture across the world and her contribution to peace through inter-cultural dialogue. This year marks the 30th anniversary of her debut as a singer.

Around a thousand people filled the seats of the Icheon City Art Hall to watch Ms. Jo’s performance of various pieces, including Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Oiseaux dans la Charmille” and Vivaldi’s “Sposa, son disprezzata”. Among the audience were the Secretary-General of KNCU, Dong-seok Min and the mayor of Icheon City, Jo Byung-don.

At the donation ceremony following the concert, Sumi Jo offered her thoughts on promoting UNESCO’s values and visions as a UNESCO Artist for Peace and her contribution to world peace through music.

The donated proceeds will be used for KNCU’s “Bridge Programme”, which aims to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by improving the provision and quality of education in sub-Saharan and Asian countries. The programme’s main activities include establishing community learning centers to provide non-formal education, providing literacy tutor training, and supplying learning materials.

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