Querida Shakira, gracias.
Lo que acabamos de ver es impresionante. Gracias por hacerlo posible, y por compartir este sueño, hecho realidad, con nosotros. Es realmente inspirador. Nos honra tenerla hoy día en nuestra casa.
SHAKIRA – a name with instant global recognition. And behind the name - a distinctive talent, a distinctive person, a distinctive story.
Blending many cultures and influences – from Lebanese, to Colombian, and Italian - your appeal crosses cultures, borders, age groups.
You bring people together.
We see it in this room: a cross section of generations and cultures, ILO colleagues, children, young people - all united by a common interest and admiration for you, for what you do, and for what you represent. It is really fantastic to see the happiness you bring to the children here today.
Thank you for being part of our continuing celebration of the United Nations World Day for Social Justice.
And we have representatives of the whole UN Family with us – they are attending a meeting of the system here at the ILO and so they could join in this celebration. We are delighted they are here – they are even more delighted - to be part of this moment.
Today, we are pleased to honour what you are doing to enable children and young people living in poverty to benefit from the empowering role and the transforming capacity of quality education.
Your friend, fellow Colombian and Nobel Prize Winner Gabriel García Marquez has said that sometimes “La sabiduría nos llega cuando ya no nos sirve de nada, " or ... sometimes “wisdom comes to us when it can no longer do any good."
Definitely this does not apply to you, Shakira: your youthful wisdom and social consciousness were put to good use early on.
You resolved to be a catalyst for change;
To help children escape the grip of poverty through education;
To bring back dreams and hope to lives scarred by the trauma of violence and displacement.
Creative and tenacious, with a unique style, you conquered the hearts of millions globally and you fought your way in the tough world of the music industry.
And, in 1995, just 18, you launched both the album “Pies Descalzos” that rocketed you to international recognition, and your Foundation of the same name.
It was the explosion of a brilliant career; the blossoming of many dreams.
As we saw, Fundación Pies Descalzos is enabling girls and boys to have a better life in the present and to lay the foundation for decent jobs and a decent life in the future.
The objective – and this has been your task, your role, your conviction - is education but the action covers much more: children are provided with the support they need to benefit from education, whether nutrition and health care, counselling or leadership training.
And children are not seen in isolation but as part of families and communities.
Parents are empowered through literacy programmes, training and income-generating activities.
Communities are reinforced.
There is an internet tribute to Shakira which simply says:
“Eres un Corazon.”
I find it a marvellous synthesis of what drives you.
With the warmth and spirit of your native Barranquilla, you embrace your mission with heart, with joy and with generosity.
You execute it with determination and strength, marrying common sense with business sense to foster your social commitment.
You are determined to influence policy decisions and to mobilize public and private will.
Balancing show business and the cause of social justice, you move tirelessly and with ease to wherever your mission calls - from the Altos de Cazucá in Bogota, to the White House in Washington, the One Goal Education for All Campaign, to UNICEF and the World Bank. And today you honour our own house.
You connect the pieces and the players.
Sí, eres un corazón.
So many of us in the UN family see elements of our mandates represented in your work.
This is because your programmes educate to empower, which is the foundation of dignity at work, and dignity in life.
Today, here, the paths of an extraordinary human being, the ILO – the world of work organization which receives you, and the whole UN Family, come together for a precious moment – a moment to honour you.
Thank you for your unwavering belief that:
“Sí se puede”
Shakira, you are a true ambassador
for children and young people
for quality education and
for social justice
On behalf of the ILO it is my honour and great pleasure to present you with this medal – a symbol of our appreciation and recognition of your work to open up opportunities for children and young people.
It reads:
“Shakira, for her contribution to the future of children and young people through education”
Thank you.
Eres un corazón.
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