Shakira lavished praise on British Prime Minister Gordon Brown after holding a conference call with the politician in London on Monday.

The Colombian performer spoke with the leader by telephone to bounce around ideas as part of a week of action for the Global Campaign for Education. The group is pressuring world leaders to provide funding for education to 72 million young children who miss out on schooling due to poverty.

“He is a man with wonderful intentions, he is very pro-active, he is working very hard for the issue of education,” Shakira said. “I could feel how passionate and enthusiastic he was about it.”

Brown praised Shakira for her tireless efforts to help improve access to education around the world.

“She is inspiring people all over the world,” Brown was quoted as saying.

Shakira is to hold a “virtual meeting” with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday to discuss way to improve access to education in the third world.

The Colombian will speak with the leader by telephone to bounce around ideas as part of a week of action for the Global Campaign for Education.

Brown has caused controversy in his own country recently by doubling the 10% tax rate for families on lower incomes in the UK, hitting the poorest people in the country - all the while giving a 2% tax cut to the richest. So some might find it a little difficult to take the Prime Minister seriously on matters of poverty. But good luck Shaki!