NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During last week's closing ceremonies of the Clinton Global Initiative's (CGI) 2013 Annual Meeting, Ricardo Salinas, one of Latin America's leading businessmen and philanthropists, delivered remarks following a performance by a select group of some of the most talented student-musicians from the Esperanza Azteca Youth Orchestra.
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In remarks following the performance, President Bill Clinton praised the orchestra and chorus for their exceptional talent and thanked Ricardo Salinas for his commitment to starting and expanding Esperanza Azteca throughout Mexico.
"Now, for the rest of my life, I have an example that talent is evenly distributed in the universe. Only opportunity is not," concluded President Clinton.
Ricardo Salinas and Fundacion Azteca launched the Esperanza Azteca Youth Orchestra in 2009. More than 13,000 children make up 55 orchestras in 29 of Mexico's 32 states and El Salvador. In addition to imparting a rigorous education and love of music, the program seeks to instill other life-changing lessons including the values of teamwork, dedication, discipline, self-esteem and passion.
"I am grateful to the Clinton family for inviting us here to demonstrate and celebrate the successes of Esperanza Azteca, as these children lift our spirits and lighten our souls," said Mr. Salinas. "I am proud to reaffirm Fundacion Azteca's commitment to the Esperanza Azteca Youth Orchestra. With more partners, this program could make a big difference in our world – not only in Mexico, or in the U.S. or Latin America, but around the globe – our youth are yearning for this opportunity."
The children also performed a concert the previous evening, September 25, at St. Peter's Church in Midtown Manhattan, co-hosted by the Consulate General of Mexico in New York.
"I am very proud of Esperanza Azteca's achievement. These children are a unique example of hard work, determination and joyful teamwork. Bravo!" said Ambassador Sandra Fuentes Berain, Consul General of Mexico in New York.
Thursday morning Mr. Salinas participated in a panel discussion, "The Pulse of Today's Economy," alongside Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google; Tony James, President and COO of Blackstone; and Peter Sands, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank, and moderated by CNBC host Maria Bartiromo. The panel, which was filmed for broadcast on CGI partner network CNBC, examined opportunities for business and economic growth, specifically those in sustainable industries, and how these opportunities fit into the broader regulatory environment and global financial system.
About Grupo Salinas
Grupo Salinas ( www.gruposalinas.com ) is a group of dynamic, fast growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, building the Mexican middle class, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas ( www.ricardosalinas.com ), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. These companies include: Azteca ( www.tvazteca.com.mx ; www.irtvazteca.com ) Azteca America ( www.aztecaamerica.com ), Grupo Elektra ( www.grupoelektra.com.mx ), Banco Azteca ( www.bancoazteca.com.mx ), Advance America ( www.advanceamerica.net ), Afore Azteca ( www.aforeazteca.com.mx ), Seguros Azteca ( www.segurosazteca.com.mx ) and Grupo Iusacell ( www.iusacell.com ). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings
About Esperanza Azteca
Esperanza Azteca is a network of youth orchestras and choirs that provide young people from low-income families a better quality of life. We seek to form better human beings through music. The project is a joint effort among local communities, local, state and federal governments and the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, spearheaded by Fundacion Azteca. The program currently features 55 orchestras in Mexico and El Salvador, encouraging values such as discipline, excellence and teamwork in over 13,000 talented youth. For more information, visit www.fundacionazteca.org or Twitter @EsperanzaAzteca
About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,300 commitments, which are already improving the lives of more than 400 million people in over 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $73.5 billion.
CGI also convenes CGI America, a meeting focused on collaborative solutions to economic recovery in the United States, and CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world, and, this year, CGI Latin America, which will bring together Latin American leaders to identify, harness, and strengthen ways to improve the livelihoods of people in Latin America and around the world. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
Daniel McCosh (5255) 1720-0059
