People News

Shakira swaps pop for politics

Dec 8, 2009, 12:03 GMT

Colombian singer Shakira EPA/SOEREN STACHE

Shakira took to the stage at Oxford University yesterday (07.12.09) to discuss world politics.

In her speech to the Oxford Union, the singer, who was born and raised in Columbia, said she believed education was the key to breaking poverty.

The 'Hips Don't Lie' singer revealed: "That is how I want the youth of 2060 to see us: That our mission for global peace consisted of sending 30,000 educators to Afghanistan, not 30,000 soldiers.

"That in 2010, world education became more important than world domination."

She added: "I strongly believe that the best is yet to come. I cannot subscribe to the idea that the older days were better days."

After her speech Shakira chatted to students and happily signed autographs. She admitted it was incredible to be given the opportunity to address the prestigious English university.

She said: "To be standing right there on the stage where so many other important social and political figures have spoken in the past - it was just a great honour."

Shakira set up a charity, the Barefoot Foundation, when she first had international chart success.

The foundation helps build schools and community centres as well as providing food for the needy.

She said: "We have the resources to feed the people several times over, but why are children starving? We need to find more ways to distribute food. And education is our ticket."