UNICEF

United Nations Children's Fund (formerly United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)

Shakira Mebarak

Goodwill Ambassador

Shakira Mebarak, world-famous singer and songwriter, is a devoted advocate for children. The singer, known professionally as Shakira, was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador on 24 October 2003.

Shakira believes that, as an artist, she has the ability to raise awareness about human rights challenges globally and to spur action against them. “I believe that I have to use the resources provided by my artistic career in order to tell people about real problems in the real world, and I know that I have to contribute to the search for real solutions. I’m sure that our planet will be a better place if each one of us will take responsibility for the needs of others.”

As a Goodwill Ambassador, Shakira has expanded her child advocacy efforts on the global level. Through public service announcements and her participation in fundraisers and other events for UNICEF national committees, she has increased awareness of UNICEF’s work in areas such as HIV/AIDS, education and child protection.

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira showed promise as a performer at an early age. She recorded her first album in 1991 at

© Shakira/UNICEF 2003

“I trust that as time goes by, there will be more and more people who want to help those in need. When that happens, the world will definitely come to know peace.” – Shakira Mebarak

age 14. Two years later, she won third place in Chile’s Vina del Mar International Song Festival in 1993.

As her popularity grew worldwide, Shakira was invited to appear on the first Spanish language edition of MTV’s Unplugged in 2001 and won her first Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album based on that performance. In March 2010, Shakira was honoured by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for her work promoting the advancement of children and youth around the world.

Shakira lives in the Bahamas.

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