This week saw the launch of Hard Rock International’s Shakira Artist Spotlight T-Shirt and Bracelet. This limited-edition merchandise will benefit Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos, an organization devoted to finding and providing opportunities for children who are victims of violence in Colombia.

“I’m proud and excited to continue my partnership with Hard Rock International through the Artist Spotlight program,” said Shakira.  “With the launch of the Shakira Artist Spotlight T-Shirt, I hope to increase international awareness and support for the Fundación Pies Descalzos, an organization that is extremely close to my heart.”  

Hard Rock’s Shakira Artist Spotlight T-Shirt and Bracelet will be sold online at www.hardrock.com, as well as at select Hard Rock properties worldwide. 

Designed by Shakira, the limited-edition T-Shirt features two angels sitting on an amplifier with a pink guitar in between them and set on the background of a large purple heart. The city-specific design is set on a black T-Shirt and is available exclusively in women’s sizes (S-XL). 15% of the retail price will benefit Fundación Pies Descalzos. ($26)

Shakira's Artist Spotlight Bracelet was inspired by Shakira and features Chakira beads with custom clasps. All of the proceeds from the Artist Spotlight bracelet will benefit Fundación Pies Descalzos. ($12)

Last night, Shakira spoke to FOX News' Greta Van Susteren about the importance of investing in Early Childhood Development policies. The interview was recorded minutes after Shakira and World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, signed the Early Childhood Development Initiative at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC. Click here to watch the interview in full.

You can also read the transcript of the interview below:

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: International singing sensation Shakira is here. She has sold more than 50 million CDs. She is one of the best-selling female artists in the world. Today she was using her voice and star power here in Washington, D.C. to support the ALAS foundation which encourages early childhood development education in the Latin American world.

VAN SUSTEREN: Shakira, welcome to Washington.

SHAKIRA, SINGER: Thank you so much.

VAN SUSTEREN: You were here because of ALAS?

SHAKIRA: Yes. I was here to meet with the president's education staff and National Security Council. And also I had the privilege to meet with President Obama in the Oval Office today to discuss early childhood development initiatives. I know that this is a cause close to his heart and a high priority for this administration. So I wanted to see how I can be helpful to the administration in any kind of way to continue promoting early childhood development strategies around the world and within the U.S.

VAN SUSTEREN: What is ALAS? How do you describe it?

SHAKIRA: It is coalition of artists, intellectuals and academics and business leaders who have all come together to promote early childhood development initiatives, to defend the right that our children have in those first years, those first six years of their lives, to receive education and nutrition and proper care. So that is something that we've been working on for the past three years, working closely with government and heads of state in Latin America. I have personally attended two summits, and I will be attending in 2010 the summit to take place in Argentina to discuss early childhood development strategies. So this is something historical, I think, that the whole region is coming together to support an idea and a transformational concept.

VAN SUSTEREN: You are an international star, everybody knows Shakira. But what is it that drives you for this? Why are you so interested in early childhood?

SHAKIRA: I grew up in the developing world. I grew up seeing a great deal of injustice and inequality and feeling very frustrated about it and wanting to change things somehow, even if it was in a very small way. So when I was 18-year-old I started my own foundation in Colombia, Barefoot Foundation. And since then we've been providing education and nutrition and building schools for kids who live in areas of conflict. Right now we have 6,000 kids in Colombia, we built six schools, and we continue to build more. But especially to provide support to the community, not only the kids but also the families. So this is something that keeps me passionate because it is so exciting to see the results, to see that money spent on education is money well spent.

VAN SUSTEREN: It is so extraordinary. You talk about starting this foundation at 18, Barefoot Foundation. But your career starts at 13.

SHAKIRA: I'm not that old. I started really early.

VAN SUSTEREN: At 13, your first CD.

SHAKIRA: Yes, that's right.

VAN SUSTEREN: That's extraordinary. So you go from 13, 18 your first foundation. You are here today, you go to the Oval Office. Have you ever been to the Oval Office before?

SHAKIRA: No. I had been in the White House before, but never to the Oval Office. I was in the West Wing. I used to watch that show, so I was checking out the furniture making sure everything was just like they put it on TV.

VAN SUSTEREN: What did you think? They say you can go in and see the president now?

SHAKIRA: Just like that. I was very excited to see President Obama again. I saw him during the inauguration. He gave me the best impression. He's really one of these people who are unforgettable. When you meet in person, he's very warm, and also gives you his focus and undivided attention, which is quite unusual when you usually meet with presidents. Presidents are always, not always, absentminded people, but he's focused. I like that about him.

VAN SUSTEREN: And you performed at the inauguration.

SHAKIRA: I did, yes.

VAN SUSTEREN: So this is not your first trip here, by any means.

SHAKIRA: No it's not. I've been here before.

VAN SUSTEREN: Did the president talk to you -- you talked the early childhood initiative with him. Did you talk about obesity? The first lady Michelle Obama is promoting fighting obesity in this country?

SHAKIRA: As a matter of fact he did mention that, because part of what you do -- what early childhood development means is not only educating our leaders, but also educating parents, educating families so the kids receive proper stimulation nutrition and proper care so they live to live healthy lives. And so that was one of the topics that emerged today during our conversation.

VAN SUSTEREN: What is more nerve-racking for you -- performing, speaking to all those people today in the atrium of the World Bank, or going into the Oval Office? Which is the most nerve-racking?

SHAKIRA: These are all exciting.

VAN SUSTEREN: Nothing nerve-wracking to you. You don't feel a little nervous?

SHAKIRA: You get adrenaline. You feel nervousness. You know what makes me nervous? Live television. American live television, oh my god, I don't know how you guys do it.

VAN SUSTEREN: That's easier than taped.

SHAKIRA: You think.

VAN SUSTEREN: Much easier, because if you make a mistake, it is again. There's nothing you can do about it. (LAUGHTER) That makes you nervous?

SHAKIRA: That makes me nervous, yes.

VAN SUSTEREN: How many languages do you speak?

SHAKIRA: I'd say three and a half.

VAN SUSTEREN: You speak English?

SHAKIRA: English, Spanish, Portuguese, and some Italian. But I'm not completely fluent in Italian yet.

VAN SUSTEREN: I understand how you learned Spanish. How did you learn the other languages?

SHAKIRA: I started touring in Brazil when I was 18 years old and that's how I picked up the language really quickly, Portuguese, in two months, yes. English, I had an American boyfriend once, and that helps.

VAN SUSTEREN: I won't ask any more about that.

SHAKIRA: Twice. (LAUGHTER) And working in the studio. And Italian, just by going back to Italy and meeting all the people and diving in the pool of language.

VAN SUSTEREN: Last question -- you are here in the United States to promote in initiative, buy your next career move, give us a hint.

SHAKIRA: I just shot a video with Rafael Nadal, the tennis player, for my next single called "Gypsy." I'm excited about it. It's quite a nice video.

VAN SUSTEREN: We'll see it when?

SHAKIRA: You'll see it probably this Thursday.

VAN SUSTEREN: Welcome to the United States. Thank you very much.

SHAKIRA: Thank you so much, pleasure to meet you.

Artist and activist Shakira met with President Obama and Vice President Biden at the White House today to discuss their shared interest in early childhood development and universal education.

“It was such a privilege to sit down with the President in the Oval Office to discuss our shared commitment to education and early childhood development. We agreed that investing in our children is the smartest strategy governments can use to boost economic growth, fight poverty, and promote global security and peace,” said Shakira. “We will be working closely with the President and his staff to implement his vision—for Latinos, children in the United States, and around the world."

“I briefed the President on the progress made this year through ALAS with the heads of state of Latin American governments, and explained that we have made early childhood development a central topic of discussion during the next Ibero-American Summit to take place in Argentina later this year.”

Shakira and President Obama first met at his inaugural ceremonies last January.

Before the meeting with President Obama, Shakira met with members of his staff where she inquired about the status of government policies to legalize 11 million undocumented immigrants who live in the United States. White House officials told Shakira that they are working hard to find a solution, and said they hope to reach an agreement this year with the Republican Party to legalize the undocumented immigrants.

Shakira also met with a group of the President’s advisors on education, national security, and social innovation. Members of both Obama’s and Shakira’s teams agreed to convene again next week to advance specific ideas to develop early childhood development programs among the Hispanic community in the United States.

The Colombian artist is a leading activist for children and the founder of ALAS, a coalition of Latin American artists and business leaders advocating for comprehensive ECD programs. She’s on her way to the World Bank to announce a groundbreaking $300 million initiative with World Bank President Robert Zoellick aimed at expanding development programs for young children in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs provide children with adequate nutrition, healthcare, and stimulating environments from the moment of conception through age 6—a period of development crucial for achieving a child’s full potential. The initiative will help expand ECD programs in a region where 9 million children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition and 22 million lack access to early basic care.

ACTUALIZADO: Pueden ver los vídeos de la presentación de esta iniciativa aquí:



On Monday, February 22 at 1pm, Shakira and World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick will launch a groundbreaking new venture, "The Early Childhood Initiative: An Investment for Life," at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC.

The Early Childhood Initiative will provide US$300 million in new funding and technical support to help countries create Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The initiative, together with the ECD Secretariat for Latin America and the Caribbean, will present new policy options to the Millennium Development Goals Summit 2010 (scheduled for September) and the XX Ibero-American Summit, which will take place in Argentina later this year.

Head back to Shakira.com on Monday, when we're hoping to bring you live coverage of the launch here on the website.

The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) has named Shakira an ambassador for 1GOAL: Education For All. 1GOAL is an international campaign to ensure that every child can exercise their right to an education.

1GOAL is co-chaired and co-founded by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan and is supported by the global football/soccer community and its governing body, FIFA. The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is the first World Cup tournament to be hosted in Africa, home to the majority of out-of-school children. 1GOAL is asking fans to lobby their country’s leaders and help ensure all boys and girls have access to quality primary education.

“The World Cup captures the attention and hearts of millions. We must use this moment to raise our voices for 1GOAL and demand that this generation of children have the chance to fulfill their dreams and live up to their full potential through education,” said Shakira. “I’m honored to be part of this incredible movement.”

As 1GOAL Ambassador, Shakira will advocate for universal access to education to world leaders and to the public. Shakira will work to strengthen the campaign alongside world leaders, top footballers and celebrities who have already signed up to the goals of the campaign, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Jacob Zuma, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Bono, Kevin Spacey and footballers Marcel Desailly, Rio Ferdinand, Eusébio and Alessandro Del Piero.

Adrian Lovett, chair of the GCE 1GOAL campaign committee commented: “We are delighted Shakira has joined 1GOAL. She is a humanitarian, a philanthropist, and one of the world’s biggest artists. Her lasting concern for the millions of children who do not have access to any kind of education make her an ideal 1GOAL Ambassador. We look forward to working with Shakira in this very special year to achieve our shared vision of education for all.”

You can now download Shakira's stunning performance of The Pretenders' 'I'll Stand By You' from Friday's Hope For Haiti Now TV special, from iTunes stores worldwide. Click here to preview and/or purchase the track, alongside all the other performances from what was an amazing show.

The two hour TV special itself is also available as a video download from the US iTunes store by clicking here.

All of the proceeds raised will go towards the emergency effort in Haiti.

Prior to her performance on the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon, Shakira announced today an initiative to build a new school in Haiti through her Barefoot Foundation.  The Foundation will work in partnership with Architecture for Humanity to build the school and NGO partners to provide education, school feeding, clean water and sanitation services.  Foundation board member Howard Buffett, World Food Program Ambassador Against Hunger and chairman of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, will fund the school feeding component of the initiative and other related services. 

“There is a great need for immediate aid in Haiti, but also for longer-term reconstruction,” said Shakira. “For that reason, we are doing our small part to help Haiti rebuild and give the children affected by this disaster the chance to learn and thrive. I hope we can use some of what we’ve learned working in Colombia to help Haiti’s children recover.  When we educate children we empower societies, and right now Haiti needs all of our help.”

The Barefoot Haiti School will be modeled after the work of the Fundación Pies Descalzos, the Colombia-based Foundation Shakira founded which provides education, nutrition and psychological support to over six thousand Colombian children displaced by violence.   

“School feeding will be a critically important tool to ensuring the health of Haiti’s children - and their attendance at school,” said Buffett.  “Our foundation is proud to partner with Shakira on this incredibly important effort.”

The Barefoot Foundation will partner with Architecture for Humanity, a nonprofit design services firm dedicated to building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design.  “It is vital to rebuild the educational infrastructure of Haiti. We urgently need to restore a sense of normalcy in these young hearts and minds and not allow this tragedy to dictate how they see their future. With this coalition of support we can build a holistic school that will inspire and encourage Haiti’s next generation of leaders” said Cameron Sinclair, executive director of Architecture for Humanity.

We are pleased to report that Shakira will participate in Friday's Global Telethon, "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief". The show will also feature performances by Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Coldplay, among others. "Hope For Haiti Now" will be the most widely distributed telethon in history and it will be aired on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8pm ET/PT and 7pm CT. The show will be also streamed live on Youtube, Hulu, MySpace, AOL, Bing.com, Bet.com, CNN.com, MTV.com, VH1.com and Rhapsody.

All musical performances will be available for purchase for through the Apple iTunes Store beginning Saturday, January 23, with all proceeds benefiting Haiti relief funds managed by “Hope for Haiti Now” charities.

The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund and United Nations World Food Programme have joined the list of relief organizations that will benefit from “Hope for Haiti Now,” which also includes Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yele Haiti Foundation. Proceeds from “Hope for Haiti Now” will be split evenly among each organization’s individual funds for Haiti earthquake relief.

Until then, you can donate to UNICEF’s emergency relief fund at www.unicef.org.

The destruction and loss of life in Haiti causes us all to take stock in what is really important. This small country has endured so much - more than its fair share of tragedy. I can't imagine the devastation that has struck an already weakened infrastructure. Critical services needed for recovery, such as schools and hospitals, have been destroyed.

The people of Haiti need our help immediately. Money will be needed to provide urgent emergency relief and I urge everyone who can afford to help to either donate to UNICEF’s emergency relief fund at www.unicef.org or text the word YELE to 501501 on your U.S. cell phone (this will charge your phone $5 - it will go to Wyclef Jean's foundation which is playing a major role in the relief effort. For more information, see www.yele.org).

We must all act. As a global community, we must be part of the recovery of Haiti and its people.

Thank you.

Shakira

This week, Shakira appeared on CNN's Situation Room, where Wolf Blitzer spoke to her about the new album and Shakira's charity work. Check it out on the video above.