Shakira to meet with Obama and Colombian president at Summit of the Americas
Last fall, Obama appointed Shakira to his presidential commission on education for Hispanics.
By AMARIS CASTILLO
Shakira has a busy few days ahead of her.
The 35-year-old pop icon is set to meet with both President Barack Obama and Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos this upcoming Sunday in Cartagena, as part of the sixth Summit of the Americas.
The singer will present to both presidents her plan to continue fostering education in both the U.S. and her native Colombia through her Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation). When she was 18, Shakira founded the nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to helping Colombian children victimized by both poverty and displacement.
Last fall, Shakira was appointed to Obama’s presidential commission on education for Hispanics – a perfect fit for the singer, seeing as that she had already being doing so for years through Fundación Pies Descalzos as well as through her other organization, Fundación ALAS, which promotes childhood development in Latin America.
In addition to meeting with Obama and Santos this weekend, Shakira presence will be deeply felt at the Summit of the Americas. The singer will attend the First Things First event launch tomorrow, led by Colombia’s First Lady María Clemencia Rodríguez. The event is part of an alliance between ALAS, and more than 20 public/private institutions that plan to build 13 educational centers in Colombia (and benefiting about 6,260 students).
Shakira will later attend the ALAS-IDB Awards ceremony, which recognizes innovations and excellence in early childhood development programs in Latin America.
On Friday, Shakira will help promote early childhood development policies during the Conference with Americas Business Trust and on Saturday, is set to sing Colombia’s national anthem during the Summit’s opening ceremony.
If you’re curious about Shakira’s full schedule, take a look here.
(Photo: Facebook)
Channel: Entertainment, Latin American Affairs
