Here's a video from the launch of the First Things First initiative in Colombia last week. The initiative's main objective is to combine efforts of technical, administrative and financial cooperation around the development of children under the age of 5, initially via the construction and operation of 13 new centers, which will give comprehensive care to almost 6,000 children.

(For subtitles, click CC at the bottom right of the player)

At the Summit of the Americas in Colombia yesterday, Presidents Obama and Santos and Shakira spoke on early childhood education, Latino education and displaced communities. The leaders highlighted Shakira’s work supporting early childhood education and the futures of the children of the continent.

President Obama acknowledged Shakira’s work in early childhood education, saying, “When we look out to these children behind us, these beautiful children, they have a brighter future ahead of them. But that future will only be fulfilled if we're making investments in them every single day, as Shakira and the First Lady are working to do, as President Santos and I have to commit ourselves to do, but today is an important first step in creating that brighter future for them.”

Likewise, President Santos referred to the actions of his government in support of early childhood education, adding, “Today we are also carrying out a symbolic event with a policy that is a priority in my government, in which my wife has taken a special interest, and that is the policy towards early childhood education. I want to thank President Obama for being here for such an important event; and above all give thanks to these children behind me, to Shakira, and to my wife for her interest in these children who are the future of Colombia.”

In her speech, Shakira also reaffirmed her commitment towards early childhood and said, “I am committed to you in my capacity as member of the Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the US,” and added “it’s great news that your administration just committed 133 million more in early childhood development initiatives.”

About President Santos’s government and its fight for early childhood education, Shakira concluded, “I am delighted to work hand in hand with you on this new alliance for early childhood that we have announced here in Cartagena to build new centers for education together with your administration.”

Click into the story to read Shakira's speech in full.

The Mario Santo Domingo Foundation-FMSD-, the ALAS Foundation, the Barefoot Foundation and aeioTu – Carulla Foundation have created an unprecedented alliance, to support early childhood in Colombia.

As part of the Cero a Siempre (Zero to Always) strategy, Primero lo Primero (First Things First) is a public-private partnership to build, equip and operate 13 new early childhood development centers in different regions of Colombia, which will be serving over 5,920 children.

This initiative was born thanks to the significant contributions of the Ministry of Education and the ICBF and commitment of the Mario Santo Domingo Foundation- FMSD-, the ALAS Foundation,  the Barefoot Foundation and aeioTu – Carulla Foundation and 30 public and private institutions.

The partnership was launched at an event yesterday that featured Shakira, Alejandro Santo Domingo and Maria Clemencia Rodriguez de Santos, First Lady of the nation.

Said Shakira: "With Primero lo Primero, we begin to realize the dream of guaranteeing the basic nutrition, education, health and early learning for our children in Colombia in the early years of life, the most crucial to their future. With this alliance we confirm that the best social work is done when the private sector decides to join the public sector to maximize resources and efforts,” stressed Shakira, Founder and Honorary President of the Barefoot Foundation, Founder and activist of the ALAS Foundation.

The first ALAS-IDB Awards took place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia yesterday, with 700 people and institutions nominated for excellence in early childhood development.

Martha Ivette Rivera Mexican Alanis won the ALAS-IDB award for Best Teacher; the book "Antonia" of the Colombian author Paula Mejia Maria and illustrator Paula Dufour of Argentina won the award for Best Publication; the Colombian foundation Fundamor won the award for Best Center; and the Brazilian NGO Saúde Criança won the award for Best Innovation.

The awards were presented by the founder of ALAS, Shakira; the president of ALAS, Alejandro Santo Domingo; and the president of the Inter-American Development Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno.



After the awards, Moreno said: "The best way to change the future of a person is through early childhood development. Investments in early childhood have higher return than at any other time of life. So the IDB and the ALAS foundation have joined forces in promoting quality early childhood development. "

Meanwhile, Shakira said: "This ceremony is a good opportunity for us to recognize and replicate initiatives of high quality child development in Latin America. It is urgent to further expand the
commitment of governments and agencies to provide early childhood and all our children the opportunities they deserve. I hope these awards are a good incentive to make further efforts to align and advance the goal of optimal living conditions for our children in Latin America."

Click here to read An Interview with Shakira: Global Advocate for Early Childhood Development and Education at Forbes.com

We are delighted to announce the full schedule of Shakira at the Summit of the Americas, which is being held this week in Cartagena, Colombia. At the Summit, Shakira hopes to take some big steps in the battle for early childhood development, which she started with her Barefoot Foundation and later through her work with the ALAS Foundation.

Shakira will be at the Summit of the Americas to continue her activism on behalf of disadvantaged children, convinced that education can truly change lives. Her agenda is as follows:

April 12
4 pm - FIRST THINGS FIRST Event Launch - an alliance between Santo Domingo's Foundation, Aeiotu Carulla's Foundation, ALAS, Pies Descalzos and more than 20 public/private institutions that will build 13 educational centers in Colombia. Some 6,260 students will benefit from this initiative.
6:30 pm - ALAS-BID Awards Ceremony

April 13
Conference with Americas Business Trust, to help promote Early Childhood Development policies with the private sector.  

April 14
Opening ceremony Summit of the Americas (at which Shakira will sing the National Anthem of Colombia)

April 15
Bilateral meeting between Presidents Obama (US) and Santos (Colombia)

For more information on the Summit of the Americas, visit its official website.

On Thursday, April 12th, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the ALAS Foundation will present their joint ALAS-IDB Awards, which recognize innovations and excellence in early childhood development programs. IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno and ALAS founder Shakira will present the ALAS-IDB awards in a ceremony to be held at Napoleón de la Rosa auditorium of the Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, Colombia.

The awards, which take place ahead of the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia, are the first of their type in Latin America and the Caribbean, honoring professionals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to early childhood development in the region

The winners in the categories of Best Teacher, Best Publication, Best Innovation and Best Center were chosen from over 700 nominations after a three-step selection process conducted by prestigious early childhood development experts. Prizes include educational kits, training for early childhood development teachers in the Unites States, computers, video game consoles and television sets.

For more information on the ALAS-IDB Awards, click here.

Shak will be discussing artists' philanthropy work on the BBC World Service's Newshour show tomorrow night (Wed 29th) at 9pm London time - you can listen live online (wherever you are) here. To find out what time 9pm in London is where you are, click here.

The appearance is part of celebrations to mark the World Service's 80th birthday.

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), together with ALAS Foundation, has announced the launch of the ALAS-IDB Awards to recognize innovation, investments and excellence in programs that benefit children under 6 years of age in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the IDB, Shakira and Alejandro Santo Domingo, business leader and ALAS Foundation President, will present the awards to the winners recognizing them as leaders and advocates of high quality early childhood development for Latin America.

This initiative is the first of its kind in the region that seeks to recognize programs of high quality, adequate intensity and duration that incorporate early education, psychosocial stimulation, nutrition and health. Inclusive programs that encourage the participation of boys and girls, families, caretakers and communities in a culturally appropriate manner will also be considered for recognition.

Shakira called upon organizations that work in early childhood education to participate: "This competition is a great opportunity to recognize and replicate high quality childhood development initiatives in Latin America. It is urgent that governments and organizations increase their commitments to early childhood education to give all of our children the opportunities that they deserve."

The first ALAS-IDB Awards will be presented at the Sixth Summit of the Americas, which will take place April 14 and 15, 2012 in the city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

There are four categories:
- Center of the Year
- Practitioner of the Year
- Publication of the Year
-Early Childhood Development Innovation of the Year

Proposals will be accepted from now until March 9. To nominate a candidate, head to iadb.org/alasidb.