OREANDA-NEWS. The Inter-American Development Bank has joined the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts as a key partner for the organization of the Lincoln Center Global Exchange, which takes place in New York on September 18, 2015.

The conference brings together 250 influential leaders from business, government, education, media, science, and the arts to advance the centrality of art and culture in fostering vibrant cities, healthy citizens and the economic empowerment of communities across the globe.

The IDB’s participation in the Lincoln Center Global Exchange is an opportunity to highlight the work the Bank has done to promote the value of art and culture and its positive impact on Latin American and Caribbean youth. IDB-supported programs such as El Sistema in Venezuela, Una Sinfon?a por el Per? in Peru, and Galp?o Aplauso in Brazil, to name a few, have been shown to enhance young people’s educational experience, to reduce risk factors that could affect their development, and to provide them with the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in the workplace.

With support from the IDB, the Orquesta Sinf?nica Nacional Infantil de Venezuela (“Fundaci?n Musical”), led by acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, will perform at Lincoln Center for an audience including Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes, actor and advocate Michael J. Fox, CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria, National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Eric Kandel, and Senegalese Musician Youssou N’Dour, among others.

The conference will also showcase the IDB’s work in urban development and sustainable cities as well as the concept of the Orange Economy, highlighting the importance of the creative and cultural industries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.