Far from the coincidental Ambassador, Shakira has turned her effort on behalf of Children’s education from UNICEF, to the World Bank and even a joint Israeli/Palestinian school in Jerusalem. It is about teaching the fundamentals to help improve the potential for and lives of children particularly those most disadvantaged by poverty and/or conflict. However, the effort underscores the children as the global citizen leaders of the future, and their role as bridging the gaps of war and inequality. The siren’s song or perhaps it is Shakira that is mesmerizing with her devotion, passion and intelligent message behind her musical talent as fame now becomes diplomat-artist.
Shakira’s breadth as well as depth of activism is perhaps as telling. In 2010 she launched a substantial initiative on “Early Childhood Education” with the World Bank: “Shakira, World Bank Launch US $300 Million Early Childhood Initiative.” More recently, Shakira appeared with UNSG Ban Ki-moon and UNICEF head Anthony Lake calling for Global Leaders to join the “Early Childhood Revolution“.
UN Photo/EskinderDebebe
Education for Peace:
“I’m convinced, as many people are, that investing in education is the best strategy for peace and global stability, and the earlier, the better,” she said during the visit to the Max Payne “Hand in Hand” School. The groundbreaking institution uses bilingual education as a tool to help build peace, co-existence and equality, according to a news release issued by UNICEF. Every class there is taught by two teachers (one Jewish, one Palestinian) and in two languages (Arabic and Hebrew). “My visit to Max Rayne school today here in Jerusalem — an inspirational school where students learn together, across all divides, speaking both Arabic and Hebrew, learning and playing together without difference — only reminded me, once again, that the most crucial decisions we can make for a better tomorrow concern how to raise and educate our children,” said the Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter.– (See more at: ” UNICEF Advocate Shakira Highlights Power of Education on Visit to Jerusalem.”)
From Celebrity to Diplomat-Artist:
As in the efforts of another well-known artist, Angelina Jolie, Shakira is also part of evolving the role of Goodwill Ambassador. Angelina Jolie, in her capacity as UN Refugee Agency Diplomat-Artist, recently spoke to an official session around the “Horseshoe Table” and called out the UN Security Council for failing the people of Syria. (See: “Angelina Jolie Speaks to UN Security Council.”) Similarly, Shakira is not just talking to the global citizen audience but on their behalf to global leaders and diplomats, particularly those lost in the conversations. While Shakira is a star of show business, her commitment is more than show.
Shakira at the UN General Assembly, from the heart, sings and speaks: “Shakira – Imagine – Live at the UNGA 2015”
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