With 15 years’ experience in production, management and culture, Patricia Abdelnour designs and implements academic programmes in social inclusion through music. As former member of the management team of El Sistema (Venezuela’s National Youth Orchestra System), Patricia is passionate about her work with all global Sistema-inspired programmes. Using her academic background in music production and engineering and a Master’s in international relations, she co-founded the Ibero-American Association of Women Music Engineers and Producers.

What do you do?

I am currently the Director of Fundación Acción Social por la Música in Madrid, a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating children's and youth orchestras and choirs in low-income areas of the city. We currently have more than 300 kids in our programme, which is completely free of charge. We work with the kids 3 days a week after school. Our main goal is to kidnap their free time, so they’re not out on the streets getting into trouble. Inspired by El Sistema, a project created in Venezuela in the ’70s, there are currently hundreds of initiatives all around the world using music as a tool to solve the most intricate challenges in society, always aiming at massive social inclusion of the young.

What attracted you to speak at TEDx?

I love the idea of being able to connect with a group of people that have come together to share “ideas worth spreading”. With current affairs being so negative, being able to connect to the positive stream of good things that are happening is a great privilege.

Which other speakers are you interested to hear at the event?

I have been a TED follower for a long time and what I love the most about the talks is the great diversity of issues they present, especially the ones that delve into subjects that are completely new or foreign to me. I love that we can listen to technical or scientific issues in a way that very complicated ideas are made palatable to everyone. I don't exaggerate when I say that I am looking forward to hearing all the speakers that are lined up for this occasion.

TedXLuxembourgCity takes place at Neimënster on 28 April. The event sold out in just 6 minutes. But on 17 April Delano will hold a contest to win 2 tickets in our 10 Things To Do This Week newsletter. Sign up here.