Newsletter 18: Festival for Good & Education for Good—A Good Vision Forward
1 September, 2024
TL;DR
Festival for Good: We are imagining a multi-city festival in the latter half of 2025 to celebrate friendship and peace through music, theater, dance, film, and art.
Education for Good: Our legal entity in Vietnam is now established to further our mission.
UWC Short Course Impact Report: Check out the results of our inaugural program in Bình Định!
We’re Hiring: Exciting roles available—Co-Founder/Co-Director, Associate Director of Finance & Operations, and Associate Director of Development.
Spread the Word: Share our work and help us grow.
The Idea Behind Festival for Good is Cooking!
Dear Friends,
In a previous newsletter, I shared a story about playing with an orchestra in Berlin. Since returning to Vietnam in February 2023, I have had the joy of performing with the Imagine Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), known for its innovative programming, from Harry Potter to La La Land, and Ghibli Studios. This past March, I had the pleasure of performing Antoine Dvorak’s 8th Symphony and cello concerto with IPO, featuring Hanoi’s Phuc Phan, a UWC alumnus and exceptional musician.
Phuc, a UWC Adriatic graduate, began his musical journey at age 10 and earned a Doctorate in Cello Performance from Stony Brook University. Returning to Vietnam in 2020, he became the Principal Cellist of the Sun Symphony Orchestra, the first conductor of the Vietnam Youth Orchestra (VYO), and Deputy CEO of the Vietnam Youth Music Institute. Through performing, teaching, and various social projects, Phuc hopes to spread his passion for classical music, believing in its positive impact on Vietnam’s youth and the wider community.
During lunch in between rehearsals, an idea emerged: with 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the American/Vietnam War and the 30th anniversary of US-Vietnam diplomatic relations, we thought, what if we organized a benefit concert between the VYO and a youth orchestra from the U.S.? The theme would be friendship, peace, and a sustainable future, featuring works by American and Vietnamese composers.
I am thrilled to share that this idea is slowly morphing into a reality. We have partnered with the Portland Youth Philharmonic, the oldest youth symphony in the U.S., and the Vietnam Youth Orchestra, both of which have endorsed the project. The “Concert for Peace” has since expanded into a “Festival for Good,” encompassing theater, dance, and film. Scheduled between July and December 2025, performances are planned in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and possibly other cities. Please feel free to read through our initial Concept Note.
We are currently in discussions with the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, aiming to establish a formal partnership and secure their endorsement for our event. We will, of course, keep everyone updated on this exciting development. If you have any thoughts on potential artists, sponsors, patrons, or partners who would be interested in getting to know us better, please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Readers, villagers, friends—thank you, as always, for being such staunch supporters of our project. If you are able and willing to give, please consider making a donation to our cause by clicking on the button below. Thank you in advance for your support in making the Festival for Good into a reality!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Yours,
Sam Jeong | Director
For Good Education in Vietnam and Beyond
In other news, I am thrilled to announce that our legal entity in Vietnam has been officially formed under the name Education for Good. This entity is owned by VNUWC, our U.S.-based 501(c)(3), a mission-driven, non-dividend, no-ownership nonprofit overseen by our Board of Directors. Though Education for Good is currently registered as a for-profit LLC, we are already working on obtaining social enterprise status to ensure that all profits are reinvested for mission-driven purposes, maintaining transparency and accountability for all stakeholders.
With a mission to nurture a joyful and inclusive community of changemakers who embrace their authenticity for holistic growth, purpose-driven study, and impactful service to communities in Vietnam and beyond, Education for Good marks the next step in our journey. We are excited for the future and grateful for your continued support.
The Impact Report for UWC Short Course: Doing Good
Speaking of good education, we are proud to share with you all our Impact Report for the inaugural UWC Short Course: Doing Good that took place in Bình Định in July. We invite you to peruse through the impact report to witness some highlights, learning outcomes, thoughts from our wonderful donors, and more.
We are hiring!
Currently, we are on the lookout for the following positions:
If you or anyone you know might be looking for new and exciting opportunities to become a part of our project, please have them reach out to me directly!
Please help us spread the word
Please forward on our newsletter to three people in your life who you know will be interested in what we have been working on.
Looking for more ways to support us? Consider making a donation, volunteering your skills, or hosting a fundraising event. Thank you for your time, treasure, and talent!
Warmly,
UWC-Inspired Vietnam Campus Project