http://blog.latinovations.com The latest news relating to the political world as it impacts the US Latino community. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:09:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://blog.latinovations.com The latest news relating to the political world as it impacts the US Latino community. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:09:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://blog.latinovations.com The latest news relating to the political world as it impacts the US Latino community. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:09:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://blog.latinovations.com/2010/02/24/shakira-meets-with-president-obama-to-discuss-early-childhood-development-and-comprehensive-immigration-reform/ http://blog.latinovations.com/2010/02/24/shakira-meets-with-president-obama-to-discuss-early-childhood-development-and-comprehensive-immigration-reform/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:52:01 +0000 latinovations http://blog.latinovations.com/?p=3729 On Monday, Colombian singer Shakira was received at the White House to discuss early childhood development (ECD) projects in Latin America.  Shakira, who is involved with the issue, founded the Fundación América Latina en Acción Solidaria (ALAS), a group comprised of Latin American artists and business leaders that advocates for ECD programs.  While at the White House, the singer met with President Obama and Vice President Biden. "It was such a privilege to sit down with the president in the Oval Office to discuss our shared commitment to education and early childhood development. We agreed that investing in our children is the smartest strategy governments can use to boost economic growth, fight poverty, and promote global security and peace," said Shakira.  "I briefed the president on the progress made this year through ALAS with the heads of state of Latin American governments, and explained that we have made early childhood development a central topic of discussion during the next Ibero-American Summit to take place in Argentina later this year," she added She later headed to the World Bank to meet with its president Robert Zoellick, with whom she announced a $300 million initiative to promote ECD. "We look forward to working closely with ALAS and the Earth Institute in the months and years to come as we move this important agenda forward," said Zoellick. "ALAS -- Shakira in particular -- have made an enormous contribution toward placing young children at the heart of the public policy discourse in Latin America." Shakira, who had met previously with President Obama during his inauguration ceremonies, also stressed the urgency of comprehensive immigration reform during her discussions with the White House.  According to her representative, officials from the White House told Shakira that they hope to reach a deal with Republicans this year to legalize undocumented immigrants.]]> http://blog.latinovations.com/2010/02/24/shakira-meets-with-president-obama-to-discuss-early-childhood-development-and-comprehensive-immigration-reform/feed/ 5