Shakira teams up with President Obama

International recording artist and humanitarian Shakira continues to make a huge impact in the political arena as a leading global advocate for education and early childhood development.

This weekend she spoke alongside US President Obama and Colombian President Santos during the 6th Summit of the Americas in the Plaza San Pedro de Claver de Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

Shakira is the founder of both ALAS (Latin America in Solidarity Action) and the Pies Descalzos / Barefoot Foundation. ALAS is a coalition of artists and business leaders seeking to promote integrated early childhood public policies.

The Pies Descalzos / Barefoot Foundation, whose mission is to make education universally available to every child, operates schools and educational projects in Colombia, South Africa, and Haiti, feeding and educating approximately 6,000 children.

In October, Shakira was named a member of the President Obama's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

Please see videos and pictures of the event here, and Shakira's speech is attached.