The Philippine Madrigal Singers is the newest Artist for Peace of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura will honor the Philippine Madrigal Singers as its newest Artist for Peace in a ceremony to be held Monday at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

The Artists for Peace are internationally renowned personalities who use their influence, charisma, and prestige to help promote UNESCO’s message and programs.

UNESCO officials said the singing group was chosen “in recognition of its efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among peoples in Southeast Asia, its contribution to extend UNESCO’s message of peace and tolerance, and its dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.”

The Philippine Madrigal Singers will serve as ambassadors for UNESCO in the next two years and will participate in a series of projects, including Concerts for Peace, a Sing for Peace festival, and choral singing classes, workshops, and other activities.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers group was originally created as the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers in 1963 by music professor Andrea Veneracion, who was honored as National Artist for Music in 1999. The Philippine Madrigal Singers trained more than 200 singers and choral music specialists. It is known for its Renaissance type of music and has garnered international awards, including the 2007 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in Arezzo, Italy.

Aside from the Philippine Madrigal Singers, other UNESCO Artists for Peace include musician Manu Dibango of Cameroon, actress Patricia Velasquez of Venezuela, musician Gilberto Gil of Brazil, dancer Miyako Yoshida of Japan, soprano Sumi Jo of South Korea, singer and founder of the musical group Gypsy Kings Chico Bouchikhi of France, and conductor Valery Gergiev of Russia.