The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) encourages us to acknowlege World Radio Day:
"...a day to celebrate radio as a medium; to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information and freedom of expression over the airwaves. "
Panamanian jazz artist and UNESCO artist for peace Danilo Perez writes:
“Radio is a powerful tool to change life. For me, the only way that I got access to a lot of jazz in Panama was through radio actually...radio really provided that vehicle for me. Radio not only showed me about the music but also showed me about the endless opportunity that human beings have to connect with each other.
When you hear somebody’s voice you’re also hearing some melody. You can only become a listener when you also become active because in jazz I feel it is about not harmonizing notes but harmonizing souls. I want to make it more accessible for more people. I know the power of radio when radio is used to change the thoughts that are going into someone’s mind, especially if you make educational programs, if you talk about great music, about great art – radio is a powerful tool to be the outspoken teacher that we sometimes don’t have in a school.
Radio taught me that we are all united in the world.”
