Education, the Song of Hope

Now we are taking our school program to other parts of the world with the launch of a new U.S.-based nonprofit organization called Barefoot.

Globally, 72 million young children don't attend primary school and another 226 million aren't in secondary school. In addition, hundreds of millions of children attend some version of school but can't access the type of quality education that yields real results.

We know how to address this. Governments must abolish school fees, hire more qualified teachers and provide textbooks and meals in schools. Most important, they must decide that a child's poverty is not an excuse—that they will educate all children regardless of what family or neighborhood they are born into. And they must prioritize education funding.

Education affects every aspect of economic development and global stability. Research has shown that a single year of primary education creates a 10 to 20 percent increase in a woman's wages later in life. Education also prevents disease: a young person with a secondary education is three times less likely to contract HIV. Education even leads to more efficient agriculture and improved nutrition.

This is not charity—it is in everyone's self-interest. Our Colombian schools primarily serve children who are displaced by decades of conflict. Many have seen their loved ones die and come to our schools angry and bitter. Education gives them a reason not to join the paramilitary organizations and narco-traffickers that have terrorized Colombia for so long.

We can be the first generation to make education universally available—providing it to all children, everywhere, with no excuses. A barefoot child I saw years ago in the park deserves the same opportunity as any other child.

Shakira has sold more than 50 million albums; her next is slated for release in the spring.

© 2008