The conference featured the winning poster, poetry, and drawing entries submitted by young people from across the globe in relation to the conference theme…reports Asian Lite News
“Music to promote physical health in children and adolescents.”- a global initiative to raise awareness of obesity and build a platform for positive child health outcomes through music.
The 6th Annual World Music Conference received the blessings and good wishes from His majesty King Charles III.
The World Music Conference (WMC) organised by the British Carnatic Choir is the flagship event in the Midlands. It brings together professionals of all age groups, race, and career backgrounds, to share values, practices, and knowledge, with the aim of promoting peace and unity.
Childhood Obesity is a common risk factor for numerous non-communicable diseases, The global incidence of obesity in younger individuals, is on the rise, despite the modifiable nature of the disease-causing behaviours and habits. As such, obesity is a growing public health concern.
The aim of the conference is to help raise awareness of childhood obesity incidence and increase awareness of creative education to tackle this, i.e., using music to empower young individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices, reducing the incidence of obesity, and obesity-related disorders. The conference theme focused on the impact that music can have on obesity prevention and control, considering the three main modifiable risk factors
- Psychological factors
- Physical Activity
- Diet and Nutrition
We wanted to encourage kids to make autonomous choices that will improve their health for a lifetime. Music, movement, and dancing are fun ways to help them learn. This was achieved using an interdisciplinary platform of leading musicians, healthcare professionals, teachers, and most importantly, children, to share and exchange experiences and information surrounding the conference theme. The conference featured Keynote speakers and guest speakers – Miss Sruthi Ramakrishnan, FRAS, Dr. Shagun Bindlish, Dr. Akil Taher, Professor Samuel Quinto, FRSA, Dr. Pallavi Vedantam, Ms. Riddhi Doshi Patel, Professor Sandeep Ranote, FRCPsych; they emphasised the importance of healthy lifestyles in young people and how music can help in achieving this.
The conference featured the winning poster, poetry, and drawing entries submitted by young people from across the globe in relation to the conference theme.
“Participants, including young people, were encouraged to learn and gain insights into the importance of music and its role in adopting a healthier lifestyle and how helps us all to establish a strong sense of personal identity. We are delighted to receive the excellent support from various professional organisations from across the U.K. and elsewhere to address and convey this important message to far and many.”
Dr. Chithra Ramakrishnan, MBE, FRSA FRAS – Founder Director, British Carnatic Choir.
“Another 12 months has passed us by so quickly and the time has come to celebrate this year’s wonderful annual World Music Conference. The focus as always is on younger members of our community, but with a particular emphasis this year on physical health, mental well-being and the power of music and dance to motivate children to make sound lifestyle choices. I know that this will be a reliably inspirational event and I send my very best wishes to everyone involved.”
Mr. John Crabtree, OBE, His majesty’s Lord lieutenant of the West Midlands
The conference is organised by the British Carnatic Choir, under the patronage of the UNESCO UK, in partnership with Consul General of India in Birmingham, West Midlands Combined Authority, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, ABCC, and a host of premier institutions and corporates from across the UK and abroad. The UK National Commission for UNESCO is proud to support this year’s World Music Conference and the important mission of its 6th event – to promote the impact of music on weight-related child health.
“We warmly commend the organisers & participants in supporting this global movement about the influence of music on health and its powerful potential to communicate these ideas positively. UNESCO’s role is to help build understanding between people and countries and the World’s Music Conference clearly contributes this goal.”
James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary General, UK National Commission for UNESCO
“I am delighted that Dr Chithra Ramakrishnan has organised another excellent conference to raise awareness of obesity and build a platform for positive child health outcomes through music on 10th December 2022. I congratulate Dr Ramakrishnan and her team for organising this excellent conference in addressing the huge challenges faced by young people and using music as a medium to promote physical health in children and adolescents. I wish the event a great success.”
Dr Paul Sabapathy, CVO CBE, Her Majesty’s Former Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands, Patron, British Carnatic Choir
The conference also hosted the virtual annual awards ceremony: 8th British Carnatic Choir Awards for Arts and Culture 2022. The British Carnatic Choir (BCC) Arts and Culture Awards reflect the wealth of great art and culture around us and the people who add more value and bring a positive change in our society. The awards are designed to recognize artists, scholars, art organisations and individuals in support of museum, heritage sites and cultural entrepreneurs who have excelled through their creativity and commitment.
The distinguished awardees for 2022 are:
- Mr. Alfons Karabuda –accomplished Swedish composer with more than 30 years of experience in the music industry. He is the President of the International Music Council and chairman of the Polar Music Prize Award Committee and member of the board.
- Professor David Wilson – Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film and is an expert advisor to the UK Commission to UNESCO on the development of creative cities. He is an international ambassador for the creative cities programme, regularly speaking and presents at film, business and community events on culture and sustainable development.
- Conductor Charalampos Makris – Conductor and Director of Studies at Palli Philharmonic School of Music, Cephalonia, Honorary Conductor of the Korean K Orchestra, member of the coordinating committee of the Hellenic Philharmonic Society, and advanced theory Professor at the Conservatory of the Holy Metropolis of Peristeri in Athens.
“The World Music Conference is the flagship music conference of the West Midlands, music to promote wellbeing in youngsters and adults and looking particularly how music can be part of a lifestyle to address obesity in young people. The conference has had acclaim across the world and international leadership, as well as music practitioners
I wish everyone involved in this year’s event all the very best.” Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, “As a Patron of the British Carnatic Choir, I wish great success to all the members and the panel involved with the World music Conference.” Cllr Maureen Cornish, Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
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