Blogamole › ALAS

We all know that Shakira is an amazingly talented singer and dancer, pero la sexy Colombiana is also a leading advocate for children and the founder of ALAS, a non-profit organization that promotes Early Childhood Development (ECD) policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Yesterday, the Grammy Award-winning artist joined forces with the president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, to launch an $300 million Early Childhood Initiative.  The program will go towards funding development programs that will provide children from birth to 6 years of age with adequate nutrition, health care, and stimulating environments to give every child a fair start. There are approximately 22 million children in Latin America who have no access to education, and Shakira is making every effort to try to change that and help ensure a more positive future that will boost economic growth, global security, and peace by investing in early education for children. Que buena causa, verdad?

Before arriving at the World Bank, Shakira had the opportunity to discuss with President Obama their shared interest for the promotion of ECD programs in Latinoamerica as well as in the US.
According to Shakira:
"Education has the power to change children’s lives but also the lives of their families and entire communities."

With some small talk about the President's immigration reform, Obama assured the singer that his staff is doing everything possible to address the 11 million undocumented people in the country.

The combined efforts of ALAS and those of the World Bank and other leading organizations ensure a brighter future for the children en países latinos.  Shakira, thank you for being such an influential Agente de Cambio!

Photos via Getty Images and Marlon Correa

Tags Agentes De Cambio, ALAS, Early Childhood Initiative, Education, President Obama, Shakira, World Bank

Get your hot pants on, because Shakira's discotastic, glam pop music video premiere is being unleashed tomorrow at 8PM on MTV Tr3s.

If you thought Shakira had already conquered it all -- crossover career success, un novio guapo and a charitable cause -- you've got it wrong!  She can cage dance too!

Me-Ow! Catch a 15-second sneak peek of the highly-anticipated video "She Wolf" below.  Then, tune into MTV Tr3s for the full viewing tomorrow at 8PM. Head over to MTVTr3s.com right after for an on-demand replay!

Tags ALAS, antonio de la rua, cage dance, Charity, columbiana, estreno exclusivo, exclusive video premiere, Latin Music, Loba, MTV Tr3s, Musica Latina, new music video, Shakira, She Wolf, Tr3s, Video Premiere

Pals Shakira and Alejandro Sanz united once again, but this time not on stage...

Last week the La Tortura duo came together in New York to support ALAS (América Latina en Acción Solidaria), the foundation Shaki co-founded to help stop child poverty in Latin America. Alejandro is just one of the many artists that came out to Columbia University to help spread the good word of ALAS to Latin American Presidents from five countries and guess who caught them in action? Yup, MTV News.

Check out what else Alejandro and Shakira had to say at the event aquí!

Tags ALAS, Alejandro Sanz, Columbia University, Shakira

We have witnessed their blazin' chemistry on-stage, but Shakira and Alejandro Sanz are retiring "La Tortura" by performing for the ALAS cause...

The duo joined forces with artists like Paulina Rubio and Calle 13 earlier this year for the ALAS concert series, but their passion for social change in Latin America goes beyond la música. Shaki and Alejandro joined a live panel discussion, which included the presidents of Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay at Columbia University on Wednesday to represent for more than 50 percent of children in the region who never have the opportunity to escape poverty.

Shakira firmly stated:

He who is born poor dies poor and that must change. If a child doesn't receive the necessary nourishment and education, he will never have a dignified life. Regrettably, he will be marginalized in poverty forever.

According to ALAS' reports, an estimated 32 million of niños are born into poverty in Latin America. Sanz added to the discussion by urging serious change in the near future:

If we win your personal commitment today, we will have opened the future of Latin America.

Oye, Shaki and Alejandro can't do it on their own. Help support the ALAS cause and make a difference ahora! [Associated Press]

Tags ALAS, Alejandro Sanz, Shakira