Shakira

In her new role, Colombia-born Shakira will travel to see first-hand the struggle of millions of children in developing countries. She will serve as a global representative of UNICEF, using her popularity and her personal interest in children’s issues to support UNICEF’s mission to ensure every child survives and thrives through adolescence.
Based on her continuing commitment to education issues, Shakira will lend her star power and energies to UNICEF in its battle to get all children into school and give them a good-quality basic education. Globally some 120 million children are still not in school, leaving them stuck in poverty and vulnerable to exploitation.
“Fifty years ago, UNICEF was the first global organization to utilize the power of celebrity to further global causes when it named beloved entertainer Danny Kaye its first Goodwill Ambassador,” said UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy. “Since then celebrities have contributed greatly to UNICEF and served as voices for those who frequently have no voice — the world’s children.”

“Shakira, like all our Goodwill Ambassadors, was chosen based on her compassion, her involvement in global issues, her deep commitment to helping children, and her appeal to young people around the world. We’re very pleased to have Shakira join the UNICEF family. I know she’ll help bring UNICEF’s mission to the audience who will have the most impact on our future – young people themselves,” Bellamy said.


By Tânia Batista