WASHINGTON (AFP) - Colombian-born pop sensation Shakira went before the US Congress Tuesday seeking support for legislation that would provide US aid for basic education programs for children in poor nations.

"Education can really save lives," Shakira, 31, told a press conference organized by the US chapter of the Global Campaign for Education.

According to Shakira, 226 million teenagers "can't attend secondary school" due to violence or being forced to work.

Speaking in Spanish, she also described education as "a tool to break the cycle of poverty."

Scores of young people from around the United States were also at the event.

Shakira is supporting the "Education for All Act of 2007," legislation co-sponsored by Democrat Representative Nita Lowey from New York.

The measure would provide 10 billion dollars over five years "to help poor nations implement strong, accountable national education plans designed to provide a quality basic education for all their children," according to a statement from Lowey's office.

The bill "ensures that a continuum of education services is provided for children living in conflict and other emergency situations," Lowey's office said in a statement.

Shakira, a global goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, is involved in at least three humanitarian projects that have an education component.

Source: AFP