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.

On Tuesday, in her role as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Shakira met with a group of adolescent girls from impoverished parts of the country to discuss the importance of educating and empowering girls to break the cycle of poverty and inequity – nationally and globally.

Shakira met the group of adolescent girls associated with the KGBV (Kasturba Gandhi Ballika vidalaya) residential educational programme in Udaipur, Rajasthan, who come from areas where the literacy level is around 5% for women and some 20% for men.

“My interaction with these adolescent girls was energizing and inspiring,” said Shakira.  “It only reminded me, once again, that girls are a precious resource of intellectual and physical ability - a resource that can help to further society. They need the chance to be educated and empowered.”

The KGBV programme addresses the need for education for the most disadvantaged girls who are marginalized and often difficult to reach.  The value of the girl child in the family is generally low, leading to boys being valued over girls – from nutritional intake to getting an education - and girls dropping out of school in order to look after the household.  In addition, the school environment is often not conducive for girls, including the lack of sanitation facilities.

Shakira called for a collective push to ensure that girls have the ability, support and availability to get a quality education.

“For too many girls, the basic human right to education is denied,” said Shakira. “Yet, educating adolescent girls and ensuring their participation in decision-making that affects them plays a significant role in enhancing their sense of self-worth.”

The meeting was part of Shakira's passionate advocacy work for global education, calling for the expansion and improvement of education, especially for the most disadvantaged children and youth.

Today 1.2 billion youth stand at the crossroads between childhood and the adult world. India is home to 20% of the world’s adolescents. With 243 million adolescents in India, about a quarter of its population are adolescents. If this group flourishes, so will communities and countries. Although progress is being made, in India almost 40% of young girls in the ages of 14 to 17 are out of school.

Here's another fascinating speech from Shakira - this time at the Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. It's well worth a watch...