The High Atlas Foundation participated in a benefit concert at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on Saturday evening, December 14, 2012, given by virtuoso pianist Rita Saher. Rita, who is originally from Casablanca and began studying piano when she was ten, treated the large and appreciative audience to works by Mozart, Schubert, Poulenc, Albéniz, and Falla; and she responded with several encores.

Rita, who has given many performances internationally and has been the recipient of a number of awards for her artistry, once remarked that one of the things most important to her is “the appreciation of the audience.” Yossef Ben-Meir, HAF’s President, who introduced Rita, observed in his preliminary remarks the similarity between her view and HAF’s mission. HAF’s development projects are determined by and for the people served, and community fulfillment is sought through community achievement. With HAF, he added, community satisfaction — achieved through its own empowerment — is a vital element. “Community engagement,” or “the centrality of the community in development,” is one of “ the keys to HAF’s work,” he said.

Rita once remarked that what is most important to her is the appreciation of the audience.  With HAF, the communities’ satisfaction (achieved through their own empowerment) is also the vital element.  Development projects are determined by and are for the people, their fulfillment and appreciation of community achievements is integral to HAF’s work.  Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, HAF’s President, introduced Rita and in his preliminary remarks, underscored the importance of such community engagement – the centrality of the community in development.

Rita’s and HAF’s next goal is to inspire Morocco’s rural youth from disadvantaged regions through music and dialogue.  Specifically, we hope to organize concerts where youth can come and hear the music of a world-renowned pianist while participating in dialogue ultimately contributing to transformative and sustainable development.

Special thanks to H.E. Mr. Mohammed Loulichki, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations, and the many other friends and supporters of HAF and Rita, for participating in Rita’s night at Carnegie.

Happy holidays to all!