Shakira Mebarak
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2003
Shakira Mebarak is a Colombian singer/songwriter, Grammy-winning artist and devoted advocate for early childhood education. Since 2003, she has supported UNICEF’s work and helped raise awareness for the world’s most vulnerable children. In 2015, she became a member of former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s International Commission on Financing Global Education.
Shakira is also the founder of the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which provides education for children in Colombia.
In 2017, she was honoured at the World Economic Forum, receiving the Crystal Award for her humanitarian work.
Shakira Mebarak's activity with UNICEF
2017
- Shakira urged world leaders at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to support efforts to feed, educate and care for underprivileged children. She was also honoured with the Crystal Award for her humanitarian work.
2016
- Shakira joined a team of industry experts as a judge for the 2016 Lions Health Festival and Awards competition in Cannes, France.
2015
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Shakira celebrated the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals with a powerful performance before an audience at the United Nations General Assembly that included over 130 heads of state and government officials.
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Celebrating the arrival of their second child, Shakira and FC Barcelona football star Gerard Piqué threw a “World Baby Shower” to benefit UNICEF and children around the world.
2013
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Shakira and FC Barcelona football star Gerard Piqué invited friends and fans to join their online baby shower in support of the world’s most vulnerable babies.
2012
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In Azerbaijan, Shakira met with teenage footballers from a UNICEF-supported national girl’s football league.
2011
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Shakira met with a group of adolescent girls from impoverished parts of India to discuss the importance of educating and empowering girls to break the cycle of poverty and inequality.
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Shakira visited the Max Rayne Hand-in-Hand School for Bilingual Education in Jerusalem, Israel, meeting with students to talk about the power of education.
2007
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In Bangladesh, Shakira raised awareness of the impact of Cyclone Sidr on local communities, meeting with women and children and visiting UNICEF-supported education projects.
2003
- Shakira was appointed the first Colombian and, at the time, the youngest-ever, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.