The goal of my philanthropic work has always been to make sure that every child has a chance to live up to his or her potential. That means our work won't be done until every child has access to quality education from early childhood to adulthood.
ShakiraHalf of the world lives on [about] $2 a day. If there is a hungry kid in the world, we shouldn't consider ourselves more evolved than homo habilis.
ShakiraEducation affects every major challenge we face in society. It creates economic growth, paves the way for peace and stability and helps erase the legacy of marginalization.
ShakiraEurope is a very different place from my native country of Colombia and my children are growing up in a very urban setting which is nothing like when I was growing up and would be able to play barefoot in the street. But we have a very good life.
ShakiraFor several years I worried a lot about protecting an image, but today, I have understood that the image cannot be preconceived.
ShakiraThe schools play an important role when it comes down to protecting children against violence.Violence is one of the principal reasons why children don't go to school. It's also one of the causes of the alarming school dropout rates.
ShakiraI'm lucky to have family around me. Otherwise, I'll be taking the risk of falling in love with myself.
ShakiraI prefer an ugly truth to a pretty lie. If someone is telling me the truth that is when I will give my heart.
ShakiraAt the current pace of change, we won't have universal access to education in 100 years, let alone five, and that is unacceptable.
ShakiraI believe education is the key. As an activist and a child of the developing world, I witnessed education's power to transform lives.
ShakiraI know what it's like to feel that fear and the need of affirmation and appreciation. To build confidence in yourself is the toughest thing.
ShakiraSometimes, I ask myself how any other singer could substitute the inspiration of god in their songs
ShakiraI've met dedicated people from all sectors of society who are committed to giving children the tools they need for a better future. I'm always impressed by the passionate young leaders I meet. As the pace of change accelerates, so do the challenges we face. However, the chances to solve them increase too.
ShakiraSexy is good as long as it's not the main recipe. It's an ingredient. I would not appear in a leotard in a video if I [did] not have other dimensions.
ShakiraWriting 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.
ShakiraEducation spurs growth and unlocks potential. After all, a single year of primary education creates a 10 to 20 percent increase in a woman's wages later in life. Education lowers the risk of disease and decreases the likelihood that a child will fall into violence and crime. And a child born to a literate mother is 50 percent more likely to survive past age five. No country has achieved sustained growth without at least 40 percent literacy for its adults.
ShakiraI think this generation can play a very important role. If we act now, this could be the first generation to witness universal education.
Shakira