CNN Heroes is a year-round initiative, by the United States news network CNN, that honors everyday people for their selfless, creative efforts to make the world a better place. In its 18 years, CNN Heroes has received nearly 100,000 nominations from people in more than 100 countries. Since 2007, the campaign has profiled nearly 400 Heroes, who have helped millions of people around the world.

And today, Ron Davis Alvarez and Dream Orchestra are 2024 CNN Heroes.

Dream Orchestra is an orchestra for everyone: refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, Swedish children and young people, parents, families, friends, anyone who wants to make their dream of playing an instrument in the orchestra come true. Here, everyone brings their best, finding their place and sharing their cultural backgrounds in a safe and friendly environment. Their voices are heard through music from around the world. Learning to play an instrument in the orchestra is an effective tool to promote inclusion and peaceful coexistence.

At Dream Orchestra, children and young people, with their families and friends from more than 25 countries, share the music stand, rehearsals, stage and healthy leisure time spending: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bolivia, Bosnia, Colombia, Chile, China, Eritrea, France, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Palestine, Dominican Republic, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Fostering respect and appreciation for the differences among us, whether that be age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity or religion, this musical community has transformed their lives and has given them new perspectives for a future in which, in some cases, the sound of bombs is drowned out by the notes of a violin.

Since 2016 Dream Orchestra has become a safe space in Sweden for those who crossed borders, seas, rivers, mountains and deserts for a better life. Most of our founding students have been able to integrate into Swedish society with jobs and started having their own families. Others, who have been deported from Sweden, stay in contact with Dream Orchestra and have become our friends. Almost every week new students arrive at our three locations. We offer free orchestra activities, instruments that can be borrowed and the opportunity to make friends who become family. All through music and the heroic work of Ron Davis Alvarez.

Each week, a CNN Hero is profiled on the global networks of CNN and on CNN.com. This fall, the 2024 Top 5 CNN Heroes will be announced. From the Top 5, viewers select the CNN Hero of the Year through an online vote. You can help us sharing our story; commenting on CNN Heroes social media; sharing the donation campaign or making a donation.