The agreement, signed by the Alas Foundation and Ibero-American countries, seeks to improve conditions and access to education for Latin American children between 0 and 6 years old. At the XIX Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government in Estoril, Portugal, President Uribe praised the work of Shakira for the sake of the children of Colombia and the world.

Estoril, Portugal, Nov 30 (SP). President Álvaro Uribe highlighted the cooperation agreement signed on Monday between the General Ibero-American Secretary and Alas Foundation (Latin America and Acción Social) led by Shakira, which seeks to promote childhood development in Latin America.

During the subscription of the agreement, at the XIX Ibero-American Summit in Escoril, Portugal, Uribe Vélez praised the effort of the Colombian artist for the children of Colombia and the world.

“Colombian people feel very proud of the work that Shakira is doing for the children of Colombia. We think that it is very important that this matter become a main subject for the continent and the Ibero-American Secretary”, the Head of State said.

The agreement’s goal is to improve the living conditions of the Latin American children between0 and 6 years old, in terms of education, health and nutrition.

At that same event, President Uribe exposed the social programs of the National Government that benefit Colombian childhood.

In that sense, he explained that all formal employers in Colombia have a pay roll tax of 3 per cent, which have been growing year by year thanks to different control mechanisms, that goes directly to Bienestar Familiar (Social institution for families’ protection).

“We have increased transfers to the regions, with a percentage destined to childhood. The National Government, from the general budget, also assigns growing funds for the childhood”, the Head of State declared.

He highlighted that the Government has increased institutional coverage and programs in that field, and its main goal is to have full nutritional coverage for children.
He also highlighted the increase of the health system during the last seven years.

“A country with 46 million inhabitants has already 41 million people with health insurance and we are covering all the poor children”, the Leader stated.

He added that although Colombia has made “a great work in infrastructure” for education coverage for poor children, there is still some setback.

“Today, Colombia offers coverage for 12 million little children. When our Government began, the coverage was for 5 million little children. We think that it is very important that this matter become a fundamental subject in the continent and in the Ibero-American Secretary”, Uribe Vélez said.