I always believed that women have rights and that there are some women that are intelligent enough to claim those rights. There are some others that are stupid enough not to.

My hope is that every country in Latin America will make a significant commitment to supporting early childhood development programs.

Writing in English was a major challenge. I didn't want other songwriters to write for me. I wanted to preserve the spirit of my songs in Spanish. I am the same Shakira in English as I am in Spanish.

I thank God that I'm a product of my parents, that they infected me with their intelligence and energy for life, with their thirst for knowledge and their love. I'm grateful that I know where I come from.

The music, of course, is important, but it's the energy that I bring to it that I think the public appreciate the most.

Fame isolates people from reality. That happens to many artists, and I don't want it to happen to me.

It doesn't matter if you are a musician, a business leader, a president or a student. We all have a responsibility to give back.