LONDON (AFP) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown held talks with Shakira on Monday, winning widespread praise from the sultry singer that he probably wishes could rub off on members of his ruling Labour Party. Colombia's biggest-selling pop star, famous for songs like "Hips Don't Lie" and "Whenever, Wherever", applauded thepremier for having "wonderful intentions" and being "very smart" and "brave".
Her comments came during a conference call by the Global Campaign for Education, that also featured World Bank president Robert Zoellick, about the need to achieve universal education by 2015 -- a key UN pledge. "I think he (Brown) is a man with wonderful intentions and who is also very pro-active and who has been working very hard for this issue of education," the singer -- also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador -- told reporters.
"I applaud his work and applaud the fact that he is brave enough to talk to celebrities like me... I think we are all on the same boat trying to get to the same shore, and trying to provide education for all children in the world."
Singer Shakira could become an ambassador in Gordon Brown's bid to boost global education. The Colombian star is an avid campaigner to improve Third World schooling.
Yesterday she praised Mr Brown's plan to have education for all by 2015. Shakira said: "He has wonderful intentions and is pro-active. He has been working hard for education."
The singer spoke after telephone talks with the PM, who is also due to hold a food summit in Downing Street today to plan international action to try to cut spiralling worldwide food prices.
To ease the problem, Mr Brown wants to add to pressure on oil-producing countries to increase supply and cut prices - which yesterday reached a new high above $117 a barrel.
Gordon Brown will discuss how to boost Third World education with pop star Shakira next week. The Prime Minister is due to hold telephone talks with the sultry Latin singer - whose hits include Hips Don't Lie - on Monday.
The virtual meeting is the latest in a string of showbiz encounters for the notoriously dour Mr Brown. Last week a slick-haired premier appeared on hit TV show American Idol to espouse the cause of eradicating malaria. He was also recently pictured grinning alongside Hollywood actor George Clooney after they mulled over the Darfur crisis in Downing Street.
Monday's event is one of a series organised by the Global Campaign for Education to highlight a pledge by world leaders that every child will have access to quality primary education by 2015. Some 72 million children are still missing out, according to the coalition of charities and teaching unions.
On Wednesday, hundreds of schools around the UK are set to take part in the World's Biggest Lesson, which will see pupils from 120 countries taught the same subject simultaneously. International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander is expected to attend a lesson in north London.
LONDON (AFP) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown held talks with Shakira on Monday, winning widespread praise from the sultry singer that he probably wishes could rub off on members of his ruling Labour Party. Colombia's biggest-selling pop star, famous for songs like "Hips Don't Lie" and "Whenever, Wherever", applauded thepremier for having "wonderful intentions" and being "very smart" and "brave".
