Global pop sensation and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Shakira performed a somber piano rendition of John Lennon's hit song "Imagine" for Pope Francis during his visit to the United States, reported Billboard. Before her performance, the advocate for children's rights gave a powerful speech in which she called for action in the fight against child poverty across the world.
"We live in a world in which many of those who are born poor will die poor," said Shakira after being introduced at the pope's Friday address to the United Nations General Assembly. "It is up to us to be the first society to eradicate poverty, and bring justice and equality for the most disenfranchised people on earth. Our children have the right to equal opportunities to thrive, to be happy and healthy and safe. Now is the time to not just imagine but do."
The mom of two also spoke at press conference last Tuesday during the Meeting of the Minds: Investing in Early Childhood Development As the Foundation for Sustainable Development Meeting at the United Nations, reported People. She asked global leaders to invest in early childhood development, and linked poverty to lack of nutrition, which leads to a stunt in children's cognitive and physical development.
"Every year that passes without us making significant investments in early childhood development and initiatives that address these issues," said Shakira according to People, "millions of kids will be born into the same cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity."
Watch Shakira's solemn performance of "Imagine" below.
