ENGLISH SPEECH | SHAKIRA: Education Changes the World (English Subtitles)

Summary

In this heartfelt speech, the speaker reflects on their personal journey growing up in Colombia, where poverty and inequality shaped their view of the world. Passionate about education as a tool for change, they share the impactful work of The Barefoot Foundation, which builds state-of-the-art schools in underserved areas. By addressing the lack of infrastructure, providing school meals, and collaborating with the government, they have seen remarkable academic success. The speaker urges collective responsibility to ensure that every child has access to quality education, with specific goals set to reach tens of thousands more children in the coming years.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to join forces with Educated Child, an organization dedicated to getting every child in school.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on their own journey as an artist and how it unexpectedly became a platform for addressing poverty through education.
• 😀 In Colombia, the speaker highlights the stark inequality and lack of opportunities that trap children in a cycle of poverty, with little chance for social mobility.
• 😀 The speaker recalls witnessing children working in the streets at a young age, underscoring the injustice and lack of solutions that motivated them to take action.
• 😀 The speaker believes that education is the key to eradicating poverty, as it provides the best chance for children to improve their circumstances and break the cycle of poverty.
• 😀 The Barefoot Foundation ('Pies Descalzos Fundacion') was created to provide education and opportunities to children in Colombia, focusing on the root causes of inequality.
• 😀 The foundation has built state-of-the-art schools in remote areas of Colombia, with comprehensive models that include early childhood development programs, school feeding, and teacher training.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the transformative effect that building schools in underserved areas has, not only improving infrastructure but also resulting in better academic performance and social outcomes for children.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the importance of working with governments as strategic partners to ensure the sustainability of educational initiatives, showcasing the positive results of the holistic model.
• 😀 The speaker stresses that while progress has been made, much work remains to address the educational needs of children in developing countries and ensure that no child is left behind, pledging to get 54,000 out-of-school children into education over the next three years.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's speech?

The speaker's primary focus is the transformative power of education in eradicating poverty and social inequality, especially in Colombia. The speaker also emphasizes their personal commitment to improving the lives of children through the Barefoot Foundation.

What inspired the speaker to start the Barefoot Foundation?

The speaker was inspired by witnessing the inequality and poverty in Colombia, particularly seeing children working on the streets instead of attending school. They felt compelled to act after recognizing that education could be the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

How does the Barefoot Foundation approach the problem of education in Colombia?

The Barefoot Foundation focuses on building schools in remote areas with comprehensive models that include early childhood development (ECD) programs, school feeding programs, teacher and parent training, and government engagement. The foundation's approach is holistic, addressing not only education but also basic infrastructure like clean water and electricity.

What impact has the Barefoot Foundation had on local communities?

The foundation has had a significant impact by transforming communities. The construction of schools has led to improvements in local infrastructure, such as roads and access to clean water. The academic performance of children has also improved, and many students who were previously at risk of being recruited by violent groups are now excelling in their education and careers.

What is the role of the government in the Barefoot Foundation's initiatives?

The foundation works closely with the government, making it a strategic partner. By showing the effectiveness of their holistic model, the foundation has been able to encourage government participation and ensure that local authorities support and contribute to the educational reforms.

What are some of the key barriers to education identified by the speaker?

The speaker identifies basic barriers like lack of transportation, inadequate school facilities (such as functioning bathrooms), and poverty as major obstacles preventing children from attending school or staying in school.

How does the speaker define the importance of education in combating poverty?

The speaker defines education as the great equalizer, emphasizing that it is the most effective way to give children the best chance of improving their circumstances and breaking the cycle of poverty that many are trapped in.

What future goals does the speaker outline for the Barefoot Foundation?

The speaker outlines the goal of enrolling 54,000 out-of-school children in the next three years, with a broader goal of reaching over 295,000 people through various programs, including building new schools, distributing school kits and uniforms, and providing teacher training.

What statistical data does the speaker refer to regarding education and poverty?

The speaker cites a statistic showing that if all children in low-income countries completed primary school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, highlighting the direct link between education and poverty reduction.

What is the speaker's call to action for the audience?

The speaker calls on both the government and civil society to take responsibility and contribute to the education of children, emphasizing the need for collective action to ensure that no child is left out of school.