I had the privilege of seeing Shakira LIVE in Geneva last week. No, it wasn’t at a pop concert. It was at the International Labour Office (ILO), where the internationally acclaimed pop star addressed a large group of ambassadors, representatives of permanent missions to the United Nations, representatives of international organizations and other dignitaries, informing them about her work in favour of underprivileged children in her native Colombia through the Pies Descalzos (Barefeet) Foundation (http://www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com/index_en.php), which she created in 1997, when she was just twenty years old!

As I sat in the conference room listening to Shakira, I was struck by her brilliant delivery in both English and Spanish and by the very powerful way in which she has used her talents: her awesome voice, yes, but even moreso, her remarkable personality and desire to help those less fortunate than herself. I don’t know how many people out there know what a tremendous difference Shakira is making in the lives of thousands of children in Colombia. By the way, I’m a huge fan of hers and knew nothing about her humanitarian activities until last week. I learned that the foundation not only helps underprivileged children get an education. It also provides assistance to parents so that they can find work so that their kids don’t have to start working too early. They can stay in school and prepare for a more productive future. As we all know, the return on the investment in our children’s future is incalculable.

I know one thing for sure, next time I listen to a song by Shakira I’ll appreciate it even more.