Over to Daniel Barenboim

We're coming to the end of an insane year. Everything is polarised to lunatic fringe extremes, leaving the sensible, grown-up centre vacant. Is anybody talking sense any more?

Yes: Daniel Barenboim is. Here is his post-concert speech at the United Nations, where he and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra performed for Human Rights Day last weekend. Please listen carefully.

It's Human Rights Day

Of course, we shouldn't need one: every day should be Human Rights Day. Here, to mark the occasion, is a special video about how music can transform lives. Please welcome Rosemary Nalden, founder of Buskaid in Soweto, in a TED talk given in March.