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WASHINGTON, USA -- Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) president Luis Alberto Moreno recently shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Jamie King to launch “¡Q’Viva! The Chosen”, a groundbreaking docu-journey that will highlight Latin American and Caribbean performers and showcase the cultural diversity of the region.

At a Television Critics Association Breakfast hosted by UNIVISION in Pasadena, California, journalists got a sneak preview of the program, which will debut in the United States on January 28 on the leading Spanish-language network Univision. The program will be produced in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and broadcast in 21 countries through leading networks, including Televisa in Mexico and Caracol TV in Colombia, among others.

Attendees viewed a short film documenting trips that Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Jamie King made throughout the Americas over the past several months -- from remote villages to major cities -- to assemble a multi-national cast that will celebrate Latin music, artistry and dance.

“¡Q’Viva! is a tapestry of the beauty, diversity and cultural richness of Latin America and the Caribbean, and I congratulate all of ¡Q’Viva!’s producers for their vision,” said Moreno. “To Jennifer, Marc, and Jamie we give our special thanks and let me say -- that you are now officially Cultural Ambassadors for Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The Bank collaborated with the producers of “¡Q’Viva! The Chosen” by supporting the talent search in Latin America and the Caribbean through its youth network, cultural institutions, and other organizations tied to IDB-backed cultural projects. More than 500 candidates from 14 countries participated in the auditions.

Moreno said that the Inter-American Development Bank strongly believes that cultural promotion is a key driver of economic development in the region.

“We believe that economic and social development means much more than building bridges and schools, providing clean drinking water and health care, and squeezing out another point of GDP growth,” he said. “It means improving the quality of life of everyone in Latin America and the Caribbean. We believe it’s vitally important to support cultural initiatives that provide opportunities for everyone to exercise their imagination, nurture their souls, encourage their dreams and reach their full potential.”

The IDB has played a strong role in promoting culture for development. Over the past 20 years the Bank has issued loans and grants totaling around $2 billion for cultural programs with socio-economic impact. These include projects to restore and revitalize historic colonial neighborhoods, support the creation of youth orchestras throughout the region, promote sports as a tool for developing youth job skills, and many others.

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