dcnonl.com/article/id59837/--aga-khan-honoured-for-commitment-to-architecture
Daily Commercial News
April 11, 2014
Aga Khan honoured for commitment to architecture
PAUL FRANK
columnist
On Nov. 27, 2013, as president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, I had the distinct pleasure and honour of spending the evening with His Highness, the Aga Khan.
The occasion was to present the 2013 RAIC Gold Medal, the Institute’s highest honour to His Highness.
The ceremony took place at the delegation of the Ismaili lmamat in Ottawa.
The RAIC Gold Medal was established to recognize “a person of science or letters related to architecture and arts.”
The selection of the Aga Khan marks the first time in more than 30 years that a non-architect has been chosen to receive the award. The Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
In his nomination, 2010 Gold Medal recipient George Baird, FRAIC, noted his remarkable accomplishments in various aspects of the field of architecture, as part of his broader social and economic development work.
In particular, the specialized cultural programming undertaken through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture includes architectural and urban design projects.
Its Historic Cities program has been responsible for the restoration of many heritage sites throughout the Muslim world.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, established in 1977, is given every three years to projects that set new standards of excellence.
It was obvious that the respect the Aga Khan affords given the number of dignitaries in attendance for the presentation.
In addition to distinguished members of Canada’s architectural community, a host of Canadian dignitaries and representatives from African and Asian consulates attended.
Although the Aga Khan and his family are continuously on the world stage, both he and his daughter, Princess Zahra, were very humble and appreciative of the honour being bestowed.
During the rehearsal for the event and the pre-event reception, the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra were very welcoming.
He remarked a number of times on the fact that he feels comfortable and relaxed in Canada because of its welcoming pluralism.
That is one of the reasons Vancouver was selected in the early 1970s as a place to rebuild the Ismaili community.
The Aga Khan concluded his remarks at the ceremony by “emphasizing the potential of architecture to communicate across the boundaries that may otherwise divide us. Architecture provides us with ways to express that which is distinctive in our own experiences, even as it responds to what is universally human.”
At the closing reception, the Aga Khan spoke to many in attendance and personally thanked them for attending.
He commented that he sees receiving the RAIC Gold Medal as a validation for what he believes architecture gives to the world.
Given all of this evidence, it can truly be said that the RAIC 2013 Gold Medal is not at all a break from tradition, but rather the recognition of a person whose lifelong commitment upholds the spirit of the RAIC’s highest honour.
Paul Frank, FRAIC, is the immediate past-president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).
delegation of ismaili imamat in Ottawa
October 22, 2015 | Pluralism Forum
Prospects for Pluralism Post-Arab Spring: Does Tunisia suggest a way forward?
Across the Middle East and North Africa, initial gains from the 2011 Arab Spring have been eroded by instability, violence and a return to repressive practices of former regimes. In some cases, the situation is now more volatile than it was before the Arab Spring.
In this context, Tunisia appears to be the sole Arab spring country to have emerged as a potential success story so far. While still quite fragile, does Tunisia’s experience indicate a way forward for other states in the region and beyond?
Join us on October 22, 2015, in person or via webcast, as former Prime Minister of Tunisia, His Excellency Mehdi Jomaa and Vice-President for Studies at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Dr. Marwan Muasher explore these issues, along with Dr. Bessma Momani of the University of Waterloo.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
17:30 Reception
18:00 to 19:30 Pluralism Forum
The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
http://www.pluralism.ca/index.php?optio ... 43&lang=en
Prospects for Pluralism Post-Arab Spring: Does Tunisia suggest a way forward?
Across the Middle East and North Africa, initial gains from the 2011 Arab Spring have been eroded by instability, violence and a return to repressive practices of former regimes. In some cases, the situation is now more volatile than it was before the Arab Spring.
In this context, Tunisia appears to be the sole Arab spring country to have emerged as a potential success story so far. While still quite fragile, does Tunisia’s experience indicate a way forward for other states in the region and beyond?
Join us on October 22, 2015, in person or via webcast, as former Prime Minister of Tunisia, His Excellency Mehdi Jomaa and Vice-President for Studies at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Dr. Marwan Muasher explore these issues, along with Dr. Bessma Momani of the University of Waterloo.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
17:30 Reception
18:00 to 19:30 Pluralism Forum
The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
http://www.pluralism.ca/index.php?optio ... 43&lang=en
Knowledge Diplomacy | Act now – Executive Masterclass – Harvard Business School case study, “Roshan: Light At The End Of The Tunnel In Afghanistan
The Executive Masterclass will use the 2010 Harvard Business School case study, Roshan: Light at the end of the tunnel in Afghanistan to enable participants to actively explore the successes, challenges and operating environment that Roshan had to navigate.
The masterclass, will be facilitated by Shawn A. Cole from Harvard Business School and Karim Khoja, CEO of Roshan, who will provide additional insights, perspectives on evolving challenges and opportunities in not only in Afghanistan, but in other developing and emerging economies.
Event details:
Friday, November 6, 2015
9:00 am to 11:45 am
The Delegation of the Ismaili
199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6
Participation in the Executive Masterclass is by application only, and space is limited.
If you are interested in attending, please submit a letter of interest and a short bio to [email protected] by Wednesday, October 28, 2015.
Discover, Explore and Learn more via AKFC | Events | Executive Masterclass – Roshan: Light At The End Of The Tunnel In Afghanistan
Also read Globe and Mail | The one thing that works in Afghanistan: mobile
https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2015/ ... ghanistan/
The Executive Masterclass will use the 2010 Harvard Business School case study, Roshan: Light at the end of the tunnel in Afghanistan to enable participants to actively explore the successes, challenges and operating environment that Roshan had to navigate.
The masterclass, will be facilitated by Shawn A. Cole from Harvard Business School and Karim Khoja, CEO of Roshan, who will provide additional insights, perspectives on evolving challenges and opportunities in not only in Afghanistan, but in other developing and emerging economies.
Event details:
Friday, November 6, 2015
9:00 am to 11:45 am
The Delegation of the Ismaili
199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6
Participation in the Executive Masterclass is by application only, and space is limited.
If you are interested in attending, please submit a letter of interest and a short bio to [email protected] by Wednesday, October 28, 2015.
Discover, Explore and Learn more via AKFC | Events | Executive Masterclass – Roshan: Light At The End Of The Tunnel In Afghanistan
Also read Globe and Mail | The one thing that works in Afghanistan: mobile
https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2015/ ... ghanistan/
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
TheIsmaili.org
5 November 2015
Ottawa, 5 November 2015 — Canada's newly sworn-in Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, visited the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat on Tuesday evening, where he met with Malik Talib, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada and Dr Mahmoud Eboo, Resident Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Canada.
The Prime Minister conveyed his deep admiration for Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Ismaili community in Canada and the global work of the AKDN.
President Talib and Dr Eboo congratulated the Prime Minister on behalf of Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Jamat. The three discussed areas of collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Ismaili Imamat.
“Canada is a valued partner of the Ismaili Imamat and has been home to a significant community of Shia Ismaili Muslims for several decades,” says Dr Eboo. President Talib adds that “the Ismaili community looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Trudeau’s new government in the months and years ahead.”
http://www.theismaili.org/news-events/p ... ion-imamat
TheIsmaili.org
5 November 2015
Ottawa, 5 November 2015 — Canada's newly sworn-in Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, visited the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat on Tuesday evening, where he met with Malik Talib, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada and Dr Mahmoud Eboo, Resident Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Canada.
The Prime Minister conveyed his deep admiration for Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Ismaili community in Canada and the global work of the AKDN.
President Talib and Dr Eboo congratulated the Prime Minister on behalf of Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Jamat. The three discussed areas of collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Ismaili Imamat.
“Canada is a valued partner of the Ismaili Imamat and has been home to a significant community of Shia Ismaili Muslims for several decades,” says Dr Eboo. President Talib adds that “the Ismaili community looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Trudeau’s new government in the months and years ahead.”
http://www.theismaili.org/news-events/p ... ion-imamat
Christophe Bouleau of AKTC’s Historic Cities Programme to deliver 2016 Phillips Memorial Lecture
SAVING HERITAGE: PRESERVING HISTORY IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 – 19:00 to 21:00
Harnessing the culture and history of a region can be a powerful driver of development and progress – but protecting and restoring historic sites and artefacts continues to be challenging in unstable and vulnerable parts of the developing world. Despite these barriers, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) works to revitalize culture and protect heritage, including projects to restore historic structures; create and rehabilitate public spaces, parks, and gardens; and support community-based projects to spur social, economic, and cultural development.
In this lecture and Q&A, Christophe Bouleau of AKTC’s Historic Cities Programme will discuss historic sites in the context of development, how AKTC works with communities, and how an integrated development approach could be beneficial in Canada.
Source: Heritage Ottawa
https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/ ... l-lecture/
SAVING HERITAGE: PRESERVING HISTORY IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 – 19:00 to 21:00
Harnessing the culture and history of a region can be a powerful driver of development and progress – but protecting and restoring historic sites and artefacts continues to be challenging in unstable and vulnerable parts of the developing world. Despite these barriers, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) works to revitalize culture and protect heritage, including projects to restore historic structures; create and rehabilitate public spaces, parks, and gardens; and support community-based projects to spur social, economic, and cultural development.
In this lecture and Q&A, Christophe Bouleau of AKTC’s Historic Cities Programme will discuss historic sites in the context of development, how AKTC works with communities, and how an integrated development approach could be beneficial in Canada.
Source: Heritage Ottawa
https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/ ... l-lecture/
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
TheIsmaili.org
12 February 2016
Ottawa, 11 February 2016 — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was the guest of honour at a private luncheon at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat today. The event underscored the importance of accommodating and valuing diversity around the world in order to build more peaceful and prosperous societies.
Co-hosted by John McNee, Secretary-General of the Global Centre for Pluralism, and Dr Mahmoud Eboo, Aga Khan Development Network Resident Representative for Canada, the luncheon was also attended by Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Dion and the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Marie-Claude Bibeau.
During the luncheon, Mr McNee asserted that the challenge of advancing pluralism is central to both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Government of Canada’s agenda. Dr Eboo highlighted areas in which the AKDN, the UN and Canada have collaborated in building civil society capacity in fragile and conflict-afflicted states, and affirmed that the Secretary-General’s visit served to fortify the historical bonds between Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Government of Canada, and the United Nations.
The Secretary-General commended the work of the Global Centre for Pluralism for “making this world better, where the diversity of our society will be respected.”
http://www.theismaili.org/news-events/u ... ion-imamat
TheIsmaili.org
12 February 2016
Ottawa, 11 February 2016 — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was the guest of honour at a private luncheon at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat today. The event underscored the importance of accommodating and valuing diversity around the world in order to build more peaceful and prosperous societies.
Co-hosted by John McNee, Secretary-General of the Global Centre for Pluralism, and Dr Mahmoud Eboo, Aga Khan Development Network Resident Representative for Canada, the luncheon was also attended by Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Dion and the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Marie-Claude Bibeau.
During the luncheon, Mr McNee asserted that the challenge of advancing pluralism is central to both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Government of Canada’s agenda. Dr Eboo highlighted areas in which the AKDN, the UN and Canada have collaborated in building civil society capacity in fragile and conflict-afflicted states, and affirmed that the Secretary-General’s visit served to fortify the historical bonds between Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Government of Canada, and the United Nations.
The Secretary-General commended the work of the Global Centre for Pluralism for “making this world better, where the diversity of our society will be respected.”
http://www.theismaili.org/news-events/u ... ion-imamat
In conversation with Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of the World Food Programme
February 25, 2016 - The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, reaching 80 million people with food assistance in 75 countries each year. WFP operates in many countries, such as Syria, that are involved in complex, protracted crisis.
Join Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of WFP, as she reflects on the challenges faced by humanitarian agencies working in protracted crises, and the opportunities presented by the Sustainable Development Goals and the World Humanitarian Summit.
Ms. Cousin will be joined by other humanitarian experts for an armchair discussion on how humanitarian development assistance is working to build resilience while addressing urgent needs -- drawing on recent experience in Syria. Join us:
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Event: 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Reception: 7:15 PM
Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
199 Sussex Drive
http://www.akfc.ca/en/events/item/230-wfp
February 25, 2016 - The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, reaching 80 million people with food assistance in 75 countries each year. WFP operates in many countries, such as Syria, that are involved in complex, protracted crisis.
Join Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of WFP, as she reflects on the challenges faced by humanitarian agencies working in protracted crises, and the opportunities presented by the Sustainable Development Goals and the World Humanitarian Summit.
Ms. Cousin will be joined by other humanitarian experts for an armchair discussion on how humanitarian development assistance is working to build resilience while addressing urgent needs -- drawing on recent experience in Syria. Join us:
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Event: 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Reception: 7:15 PM
Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
199 Sussex Drive
http://www.akfc.ca/en/events/item/230-wfp
The Global Centre for Pluralism and Interpeace are pleased to invite you to the first-ever Ottawa Peace Talks on the theme "Let's build peace through diversity."
Tuesday 19 April, 2016
Reception at 5:30 PM
Peace Talks begin at 6:00 PM
The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat (199 Sussex Drive)
Speakers from diverse backgrounds and professions will share their personal stories that show how respect for diversity is essential to building peaceful and inclusive societies both at home and abroad.
Register to attend this free event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ottawa-pea ... 1768964559
Seats for the event are limited. Please register early as tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #OttawaPeaceTalks.
The Peace Talks are an international event series that contribute to a dialogue about peace. The Peace Talks began in 2013, with the first-ever Geneva Peace Talks being co-organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and Interpeace.
The Ottawa Peace Talks are co-organized by The Global Centre for Pluralism and Interpeace, with the support of the Ottawa hub of the Global Shapers, One World Dialogue and Mirabaud.
Le Centre mondial du pluralisme et Interpeace vous invitent aux premiers Peace Talks d’Ottawa sous le thème «Bâtissons la paix par la diversité».
19 avril 2016
17 h 30 Réception
18 h Peace Talks
La Délégation de l’imamat ismaili (199, promenade Sussex)
Des orateurs de divers contextes partageront leurs expériences personnelles pour souligner l’importance de bâtir les sociétés inclusives au moyen d’une participation étendue et variée au pays et dans le monde.
Cliquez ici pour vous enrigistrer à cet événement gratuit.
Les places sont limitées alors s’il vous plaît, enregistrez-vous en avance. Les billets seront attribués sur le principe du premier arrivé, premier servi.
Participez à la discussion en utilisant le mot-clic #OttawaPeaceTalks.
Les Peace Talks sont une série internationale d’événements dont l’objectif est de créer un espace favorable à la discussion sur le renforcement de la paix.
Le concept des Peace Talks a commencé en Suisse en 2013 avec l’organisation de la première édition de l’évènement avec l’Office des Nations Unies à Genève, Interpeace, et la Geneva Peacebuilding Platform.
Les Peace Talks d’Ottawa sont organisés par le Centre mondial du pluralisme en collaboration avec Interpeace et avec le soutien de Global Shapers d'Ottawa, One World Dialogue et Mirabaud.
Tuesday 19 April, 2016
Reception at 5:30 PM
Peace Talks begin at 6:00 PM
The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat (199 Sussex Drive)
Speakers from diverse backgrounds and professions will share their personal stories that show how respect for diversity is essential to building peaceful and inclusive societies both at home and abroad.
Register to attend this free event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ottawa-pea ... 1768964559
Seats for the event are limited. Please register early as tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #OttawaPeaceTalks.
The Peace Talks are an international event series that contribute to a dialogue about peace. The Peace Talks began in 2013, with the first-ever Geneva Peace Talks being co-organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and Interpeace.
The Ottawa Peace Talks are co-organized by The Global Centre for Pluralism and Interpeace, with the support of the Ottawa hub of the Global Shapers, One World Dialogue and Mirabaud.
Le Centre mondial du pluralisme et Interpeace vous invitent aux premiers Peace Talks d’Ottawa sous le thème «Bâtissons la paix par la diversité».
19 avril 2016
17 h 30 Réception
18 h Peace Talks
La Délégation de l’imamat ismaili (199, promenade Sussex)
Des orateurs de divers contextes partageront leurs expériences personnelles pour souligner l’importance de bâtir les sociétés inclusives au moyen d’une participation étendue et variée au pays et dans le monde.
Cliquez ici pour vous enrigistrer à cet événement gratuit.
Les places sont limitées alors s’il vous plaît, enregistrez-vous en avance. Les billets seront attribués sur le principe du premier arrivé, premier servi.
Participez à la discussion en utilisant le mot-clic #OttawaPeaceTalks.
Les Peace Talks sont une série internationale d’événements dont l’objectif est de créer un espace favorable à la discussion sur le renforcement de la paix.
Le concept des Peace Talks a commencé en Suisse en 2013 avec l’organisation de la première édition de l’évènement avec l’Office des Nations Unies à Genève, Interpeace, et la Geneva Peacebuilding Platform.
Les Peace Talks d’Ottawa sont organisés par le Centre mondial du pluralisme en collaboration avec Interpeace et avec le soutien de Global Shapers d'Ottawa, One World Dialogue et Mirabaud.
Governor General of Canada to Address Smart Global Development Conference at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will deliver a keynote address at the Smart Global Development conference on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at 5:00 p.m., at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, Ontario.
“As hubs of innovation and creativity, universities and institutes of higher education are ideally positioned to contribute to sustainable development,” said the Governor General. “I’m looking forward to joining leaders in the field to discuss how inclusivity, innovation and diplomacy can foster a smarter, more caring world.”
ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/governor-general-of-canada-to-address-smart-global-development-conference-at-the-delegation-of-the-ismaili-imamat/
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will deliver a keynote address at the Smart Global Development conference on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at 5:00 p.m., at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, Ontario.
“As hubs of innovation and creativity, universities and institutes of higher education are ideally positioned to contribute to sustainable development,” said the Governor General. “I’m looking forward to joining leaders in the field to discuss how inclusivity, innovation and diplomacy can foster a smarter, more caring world.”
ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/governor-general-of-canada-to-address-smart-global-development-conference-at-the-delegation-of-the-ismaili-imamat/
Speech of the GJ
Smart Global Development Conference
Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, April 13, 2016
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Greetings, all of you, and a special welcome to those of you who have travelled from far and wide to be here.
You missed winter—barely!
Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge that this conference is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonquin nation.
In fact, the word “Ottawa” comes from the Algonquin word for trade, which makes sense given our location at the junction of three great rivers: the Ottawa, the Gatineau and the Rideau.
Think about that for a moment. For centuries, people have come together on this exact spot to trade goods, ideas and stories.
Today, we continue that tradition. Our theme is the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development goals.
So let me begin with a story.
It takes place a few years back: in 1981, in Karachi, Pakistan.
As you may know, Karachi is home to the Aga Khan University, one of the top learning institutions in Pakistan.
Today, the university is well known as a leader in the field of medicine, but what’s less well known is that this is partly the result of a wonderful partnership that existed between Aga Khan University and a number of North American universities including McGill in Montréal in the early 1980s.
This partnership saw renowned McGill epidemiologist Walter Spitzer and his team working closely with their Pakistani counterparts to share McGill’s lessons learned in establishing a successful community medicine model.
Thanks to this collaboration, the new Aga Khan University hospital was able to build on McGill’s experience in deploying public health services in Karachi!
Back in those days, I was serving as president of McGill, and I had the opportunity to join the Aga Khan in Karachi for the opening of the new university hospital.
I remember being so impressed by the boldness of the Aga Khan’s initiative!
The goal was very ambitious: to bring the best of Western medicine to a country with very distinct customs and traditions.
One of the most striking challenges involved the opening of the nursing school. Many of the nursing students were women, but a traditional barrier existed against the treatment of boys and men by female health professionals.
As you can imagine, this kind of challenge is only resolved by showing a great deal of cultural sensitivity. This was done elegantly and with high professional nursing standards through a partnership with McMaster University’s School of Nursing in Hamilton. In fact, the first dean of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing was a former McMaster professor.
With this story in mind, I’d like to briefly highlight three themes to help guide your discussions to follow:
Inclusivity, innovation and diplomacy.
I’ll begin with the central importance of building strong, inclusive institutions—including learning institutions—as a foundation for peaceful, prosperous, pluralist societies.
All of you understand this is a priority, but that doesn’t make it any easier to achieve.
But it’s essential that we succeed.
Here in Canada, we’re still learning.
In fact, I saw evidence of our learning in action during a recent visit to Nipissing University in North Bay—about a four-hour drive west of Ottawa on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Nipissing is doing some very interesting work in terms of being more inclusive when it comes to indigenous education.
The university has a dedicated Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, as well as:
•An Elder in Residence program
•An indigenous student lounge and sacred space
•An indigenous speaker series
•Mentorship programs
•An annual welcome powwow
•An annual gathering for prospective Aboriginal students
•An indigenous week
Also, the president and vice-chancellor of Nipissing is Mike DeGagné, who is the first Aboriginal president of a Canadian university.
I share all these details for a reason: to emphasize the fact that there’s no single way to foster inclusivity in higher education.
It’s hard work.
It’s multifaceted.
It calls for leadership and broad community engagement.
And it requires innovation, which is what I want to speak about next.
Innovation is one of those terms that can mean different things to different people. In this context, I mean finding creative ways to meaningfully improve our quality of life and build a more inclusive, compassionate society. It means taking an existing idea and recrafting it to do things better.
Universities and institutes of higher education are ideally positioned to contribute to sustainable development, because they’re hubs of innovation and creativity!
Let me pose two questions for your consideration at this conference.
One, ask yourselves: what does university innovation in support of global development look like? You’re much more likely to hit a specific target than a vague one, so I encourage you to be as specific as possible in answering this question.
Two, given the existing barriers that prevent universities in the global south from harnessing their creative potential, ask: how do we allow that innate creativity to flourish?
I’d like to share one great example of international innovation in learning that I’ve witnessed as governor general. It’s called the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, or AIMS, and it has three main goals:
1.
To promote mathematics and science in Africa
2.
To recruit and train talented students and teachers
3.
To build capacity for African initiatives in education, research and technology.
In 2013, I visited AIMS headquarters in Cape Town with Jean Lebel, President of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Canada has been a strong supporter of the AIMS initiative through Jean’s and the IDRC’s leadership.
Also, in Waterloo, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics has formed a unique partnership with the AIMS-Next Einstein Initiative on its global outreach efforts.
In fact, just a few weeks ago, Perimeter Institute director and physicist Neil Turok, the 2016 winner of the American Institute of Physics’ John Torrence Tate Award for International Leadership, donated his cash prize to establish a new scholarship for AIMS students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Neil, who hails from South Africa and is a founder of AIMS, boldly set out early in his career to establish learning institutions so the “next Einstein” could come from Africa. By fostering international collaboration, he has helped to make the dream of higher education real for so many students on that continent.
This brings me to my third and final theme: the diplomacy of knowledge.
The diplomacy of knowledge is simply this: the process by which distinct peoples and cultures come together and improve lives by sharing knowledge across borders and disciplines.
And as I learned in Karachi more than three decades ago, the Aga Khan is a wise practitioner of this brand of diplomacy. He understands that ultimately, sustainable development is an exercise in applying knowledge and diplomacy in equal measure.
You can’t have one without the other!
When we succeed, the results can be remarkable.
By the way, if you want to read more about my admiration for the Aga Khan’s leadership, you can read all about it in the letter I wrote to him in my new book of letters titled The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation. The theme of that letter is how the diplomacy of knowledge can lead us toward a smarter, more caring world.
If you take one thing from my remarks today, let it be this: ask yourselves how your organization can make a unique contribution to a better world through knowledge diplomacy.
One project we have been working on is the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship program. This program is leveraging Canada’s Commonwealth ties to create international study opportunities and globally minded citizens both here at home and abroad.
The goal: to create a dynamic community of globally minded leaders.
I think we’re well underway!
Let me close by summing up:
Inclusivity.
Innovation.
Diplomacy.
And let me thank you all for being here to discuss smart global development.
Have a productive conference—I wish you the very best with your important work.
Thank you.
http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=16380&lan=eng
Smart Global Development Conference
Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, April 13, 2016
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Greetings, all of you, and a special welcome to those of you who have travelled from far and wide to be here.
You missed winter—barely!
Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge that this conference is taking place on the traditional territory of the Algonquin nation.
In fact, the word “Ottawa” comes from the Algonquin word for trade, which makes sense given our location at the junction of three great rivers: the Ottawa, the Gatineau and the Rideau.
Think about that for a moment. For centuries, people have come together on this exact spot to trade goods, ideas and stories.
Today, we continue that tradition. Our theme is the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development goals.
So let me begin with a story.
It takes place a few years back: in 1981, in Karachi, Pakistan.
As you may know, Karachi is home to the Aga Khan University, one of the top learning institutions in Pakistan.
Today, the university is well known as a leader in the field of medicine, but what’s less well known is that this is partly the result of a wonderful partnership that existed between Aga Khan University and a number of North American universities including McGill in Montréal in the early 1980s.
This partnership saw renowned McGill epidemiologist Walter Spitzer and his team working closely with their Pakistani counterparts to share McGill’s lessons learned in establishing a successful community medicine model.
Thanks to this collaboration, the new Aga Khan University hospital was able to build on McGill’s experience in deploying public health services in Karachi!
Back in those days, I was serving as president of McGill, and I had the opportunity to join the Aga Khan in Karachi for the opening of the new university hospital.
I remember being so impressed by the boldness of the Aga Khan’s initiative!
The goal was very ambitious: to bring the best of Western medicine to a country with very distinct customs and traditions.
One of the most striking challenges involved the opening of the nursing school. Many of the nursing students were women, but a traditional barrier existed against the treatment of boys and men by female health professionals.
As you can imagine, this kind of challenge is only resolved by showing a great deal of cultural sensitivity. This was done elegantly and with high professional nursing standards through a partnership with McMaster University’s School of Nursing in Hamilton. In fact, the first dean of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing was a former McMaster professor.
With this story in mind, I’d like to briefly highlight three themes to help guide your discussions to follow:
Inclusivity, innovation and diplomacy.
I’ll begin with the central importance of building strong, inclusive institutions—including learning institutions—as a foundation for peaceful, prosperous, pluralist societies.
All of you understand this is a priority, but that doesn’t make it any easier to achieve.
But it’s essential that we succeed.
Here in Canada, we’re still learning.
In fact, I saw evidence of our learning in action during a recent visit to Nipissing University in North Bay—about a four-hour drive west of Ottawa on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Nipissing is doing some very interesting work in terms of being more inclusive when it comes to indigenous education.
The university has a dedicated Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, as well as:
•An Elder in Residence program
•An indigenous student lounge and sacred space
•An indigenous speaker series
•Mentorship programs
•An annual welcome powwow
•An annual gathering for prospective Aboriginal students
•An indigenous week
Also, the president and vice-chancellor of Nipissing is Mike DeGagné, who is the first Aboriginal president of a Canadian university.
I share all these details for a reason: to emphasize the fact that there’s no single way to foster inclusivity in higher education.
It’s hard work.
It’s multifaceted.
It calls for leadership and broad community engagement.
And it requires innovation, which is what I want to speak about next.
Innovation is one of those terms that can mean different things to different people. In this context, I mean finding creative ways to meaningfully improve our quality of life and build a more inclusive, compassionate society. It means taking an existing idea and recrafting it to do things better.
Universities and institutes of higher education are ideally positioned to contribute to sustainable development, because they’re hubs of innovation and creativity!
Let me pose two questions for your consideration at this conference.
One, ask yourselves: what does university innovation in support of global development look like? You’re much more likely to hit a specific target than a vague one, so I encourage you to be as specific as possible in answering this question.
Two, given the existing barriers that prevent universities in the global south from harnessing their creative potential, ask: how do we allow that innate creativity to flourish?
I’d like to share one great example of international innovation in learning that I’ve witnessed as governor general. It’s called the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, or AIMS, and it has three main goals:
1.
To promote mathematics and science in Africa
2.
To recruit and train talented students and teachers
3.
To build capacity for African initiatives in education, research and technology.
In 2013, I visited AIMS headquarters in Cape Town with Jean Lebel, President of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Canada has been a strong supporter of the AIMS initiative through Jean’s and the IDRC’s leadership.
Also, in Waterloo, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics has formed a unique partnership with the AIMS-Next Einstein Initiative on its global outreach efforts.
In fact, just a few weeks ago, Perimeter Institute director and physicist Neil Turok, the 2016 winner of the American Institute of Physics’ John Torrence Tate Award for International Leadership, donated his cash prize to establish a new scholarship for AIMS students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Neil, who hails from South Africa and is a founder of AIMS, boldly set out early in his career to establish learning institutions so the “next Einstein” could come from Africa. By fostering international collaboration, he has helped to make the dream of higher education real for so many students on that continent.
This brings me to my third and final theme: the diplomacy of knowledge.
The diplomacy of knowledge is simply this: the process by which distinct peoples and cultures come together and improve lives by sharing knowledge across borders and disciplines.
And as I learned in Karachi more than three decades ago, the Aga Khan is a wise practitioner of this brand of diplomacy. He understands that ultimately, sustainable development is an exercise in applying knowledge and diplomacy in equal measure.
You can’t have one without the other!
When we succeed, the results can be remarkable.
By the way, if you want to read more about my admiration for the Aga Khan’s leadership, you can read all about it in the letter I wrote to him in my new book of letters titled The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation. The theme of that letter is how the diplomacy of knowledge can lead us toward a smarter, more caring world.
If you take one thing from my remarks today, let it be this: ask yourselves how your organization can make a unique contribution to a better world through knowledge diplomacy.
One project we have been working on is the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship program. This program is leveraging Canada’s Commonwealth ties to create international study opportunities and globally minded citizens both here at home and abroad.
The goal: to create a dynamic community of globally minded leaders.
I think we’re well underway!
Let me close by summing up:
Inclusivity.
Innovation.
Diplomacy.
And let me thank you all for being here to discuss smart global development.
Have a productive conference—I wish you the very best with your important work.
Thank you.
http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=16380&lan=eng
Higher education must play a greater role in international development
TheIsmaili.org
14 April 2016
Ottawa, 14 April 2016 — Higher education has the potential to unlock new opportunities and underwrite sustainable growth in the developing world. But compared with investments in primary education and basic health care, the international community’s support for tertiary education has been limited.
A two-day gathering at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa aimed to raise the profile of higher education on the global development agenda.
Also see:
» Speech by the Governor General of Canada
» Smart Global Development conference website
“Universities and institutes of higher education are ideally positioned to contribute to sustainable development, because they’re hubs of innovation and creativity,” said His Excellency David Johnston, Governor General of Canada in his opening keynote on Wednesday evening. He suggested that the conference deliberations be guided by themes of “inclusivity, innovation and diplomacy.”
Attendees from more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as representatives from more than a dozen Canadian universities were gathered for the Smart Global Development conference — a joint presentation of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Academics Without Borders and the International Development Research Centre, with financial support from Global Affairs Canada.
Khalil Shariff, CEO of Aga Khan Foundation Canada told the audience that “the need for high quality, permanent institutions has never been so important.” Universities, colleges and research institutes are critical anchors of progress, he explained.
“The most severe sort of marginalisation is marginalisation from the global knowledge society," he said. "Without global knowledge resources, communities, populations, indeed entire countries can be held back for generations.”
The importance of higher education to the work of the Aga Khan Development Network is evident in its two universities — the University of Central Asia, which was represented at the conference by Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Executive Chairman of the Board Executive Committee, and the Aga Khan University represented by its president, Firoz Rasul.
In his remarks, the Governor General recalled the establishment of the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan in the early 1980s, citing it as an example of how Canadian institutions of higher learning can make a difference in the quality of tertiary education in the developing world.
“Today, the university is well known as a leader in the field of medicine,” said Johnston — “the result of a wonderful partnership that existed between Aga Khan University and a number of North American universities.”
In particular, he highlighted the assistance given by McMaster and McGill in laying the foundations for AKU’s School of Nursing and Medical College. “The goal was very ambitious,” said Johnston, “to bring the best of Western medicine to a country with very distinct customs and traditions.”
Partnership for Central Asia
Canada and the Aga Khan Development Network have been partners in development for several decades, successfully expanding opportunities and improving quality of life in some of the most fragile regions of the developing world. Partnerships with higher education institutions have been central to these endeavours.
Last year, the University of Central Asia and Toronto’s Seneca College signed a memorandum of understanding in which Seneca would develop UCA’s preparatory programme in English, mathematics and science. The two institutions reaffirmed this commitment today, in a signing ceremony that took place at the conference.
The preparatory courses will ensure that students entering the university’s undergraduate programmes at campuses in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan will be equipped with the skills they need to succeed at the university level. Students at the Naryn campus in Kyrgyzstan will be the first to benefit.
“With Seneca’s support, our inaugural class of students will receive a rigorous academic programme that will prepare them for a truly international standard of education,” said UCA Executive Chairman Shamsh Kassim-Lakha.
Seneca President David Agnew noted that “Seneca and UCA share a common belief that world class education is one that offers a global perspective while empowering students to create social change both locally and internationally.” He also announced the College’s support of 12 scholarships for talented students from Central Asia.
The University of Central Asia is in the process of building its three residential campuses. The Naryn campus will enrol its first undergraduate students in September 2016, with Khorog, Tajikistan to follow in 2017 and the Tekeli campus in Kazakhstan due to open its doors in 2019. In addition to Seneca, the UCA has benefited from the assistance of the University of British Columbia, Carleton University, the University of Alberta, as well as support from Global Affairs Canada and the International Development Research Centre.
Enduring commitment to education
Speaking at the conference this morning, Dr Mahmoud Eboo, AKDN Resident Representative for Canada suggested that some might wonder what motivates the interest of AKDN and the Ismaili Imamat in education.
“The notion of the search for knowledge and its application for the benefit of people and the improvement of quality of life has been an ethical principle that has been part of the work of the Imamat for centuries,” he said. In 970 CE, when Mawlana Hazar Imam’s ancestor founded Al-Azhar in Cairo — which is today the world’s oldest university — “Muslim societies were at the vanguard of knowledge production.”
This focus on education continues today with Mawlana Hazar Imam’s establishment of two international universities, explained Dr Eboo. Together with a network of educational institutions that span the early childhood, primary and secondary levels, AKDN’s educational endeavours are spread across Central Asia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
“Knowledge production, knowledge creation for the benefit of people and their quality of life — that is the driving ethic of the Aga Khan network,” he said.
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minister of International Development and La Francophonie situated the role of higher education within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. She discussed the priorities of the Government of Canada and its educational initiatives in international development.
“We very much value the partnerships that we have with our Canadian partners as well as the Canadian government,” said Dr Eboo. “For us, education is the single most powerful counterforce to poverty, to radicalisation, to lack of opportunity, to lack of hope.”
“Fear is infectious, but hope is too.”
http://www.theismaili.org/news-events/h ... evelopment
TheIsmaili.org
14 April 2016
Ottawa, 14 April 2016 — Higher education has the potential to unlock new opportunities and underwrite sustainable growth in the developing world. But compared with investments in primary education and basic health care, the international community’s support for tertiary education has been limited.
A two-day gathering at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa aimed to raise the profile of higher education on the global development agenda.
Also see:
» Speech by the Governor General of Canada
» Smart Global Development conference website
“Universities and institutes of higher education are ideally positioned to contribute to sustainable development, because they’re hubs of innovation and creativity,” said His Excellency David Johnston, Governor General of Canada in his opening keynote on Wednesday evening. He suggested that the conference deliberations be guided by themes of “inclusivity, innovation and diplomacy.”
Attendees from more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as representatives from more than a dozen Canadian universities were gathered for the Smart Global Development conference — a joint presentation of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Academics Without Borders and the International Development Research Centre, with financial support from Global Affairs Canada.
Khalil Shariff, CEO of Aga Khan Foundation Canada told the audience that “the need for high quality, permanent institutions has never been so important.” Universities, colleges and research institutes are critical anchors of progress, he explained.
“The most severe sort of marginalisation is marginalisation from the global knowledge society," he said. "Without global knowledge resources, communities, populations, indeed entire countries can be held back for generations.”
The importance of higher education to the work of the Aga Khan Development Network is evident in its two universities — the University of Central Asia, which was represented at the conference by Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Executive Chairman of the Board Executive Committee, and the Aga Khan University represented by its president, Firoz Rasul.
In his remarks, the Governor General recalled the establishment of the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan in the early 1980s, citing it as an example of how Canadian institutions of higher learning can make a difference in the quality of tertiary education in the developing world.
“Today, the university is well known as a leader in the field of medicine,” said Johnston — “the result of a wonderful partnership that existed between Aga Khan University and a number of North American universities.”
In particular, he highlighted the assistance given by McMaster and McGill in laying the foundations for AKU’s School of Nursing and Medical College. “The goal was very ambitious,” said Johnston, “to bring the best of Western medicine to a country with very distinct customs and traditions.”
Partnership for Central Asia
Canada and the Aga Khan Development Network have been partners in development for several decades, successfully expanding opportunities and improving quality of life in some of the most fragile regions of the developing world. Partnerships with higher education institutions have been central to these endeavours.
Last year, the University of Central Asia and Toronto’s Seneca College signed a memorandum of understanding in which Seneca would develop UCA’s preparatory programme in English, mathematics and science. The two institutions reaffirmed this commitment today, in a signing ceremony that took place at the conference.
The preparatory courses will ensure that students entering the university’s undergraduate programmes at campuses in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan will be equipped with the skills they need to succeed at the university level. Students at the Naryn campus in Kyrgyzstan will be the first to benefit.
“With Seneca’s support, our inaugural class of students will receive a rigorous academic programme that will prepare them for a truly international standard of education,” said UCA Executive Chairman Shamsh Kassim-Lakha.
Seneca President David Agnew noted that “Seneca and UCA share a common belief that world class education is one that offers a global perspective while empowering students to create social change both locally and internationally.” He also announced the College’s support of 12 scholarships for talented students from Central Asia.
The University of Central Asia is in the process of building its three residential campuses. The Naryn campus will enrol its first undergraduate students in September 2016, with Khorog, Tajikistan to follow in 2017 and the Tekeli campus in Kazakhstan due to open its doors in 2019. In addition to Seneca, the UCA has benefited from the assistance of the University of British Columbia, Carleton University, the University of Alberta, as well as support from Global Affairs Canada and the International Development Research Centre.
Enduring commitment to education
Speaking at the conference this morning, Dr Mahmoud Eboo, AKDN Resident Representative for Canada suggested that some might wonder what motivates the interest of AKDN and the Ismaili Imamat in education.
“The notion of the search for knowledge and its application for the benefit of people and the improvement of quality of life has been an ethical principle that has been part of the work of the Imamat for centuries,” he said. In 970 CE, when Mawlana Hazar Imam’s ancestor founded Al-Azhar in Cairo — which is today the world’s oldest university — “Muslim societies were at the vanguard of knowledge production.”
This focus on education continues today with Mawlana Hazar Imam’s establishment of two international universities, explained Dr Eboo. Together with a network of educational institutions that span the early childhood, primary and secondary levels, AKDN’s educational endeavours are spread across Central Asia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
“Knowledge production, knowledge creation for the benefit of people and their quality of life — that is the driving ethic of the Aga Khan network,” he said.
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minister of International Development and La Francophonie situated the role of higher education within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. She discussed the priorities of the Government of Canada and its educational initiatives in international development.
“We very much value the partnerships that we have with our Canadian partners as well as the Canadian government,” said Dr Eboo. “For us, education is the single most powerful counterforce to poverty, to radicalisation, to lack of opportunity, to lack of hope.”
“Fear is infectious, but hope is too.”
http://www.theismaili.org/news-events/h ... evelopment
Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat presents Saving Heritage: Preserving History in the Developing World
Held February 24, 2016: Harnessing the culture and history of a region can be a powerful driver of development and progress – but protecting and restoring historic sites and artifacts continues to be challenging in unstable and vulnerable parts of the developing world.
Despite these barriers, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture works to revitalize culture and protect heritage, including projects to restore historic structures; create and rehabilitate public spaces, parks, and gardens; and support community-based projects to spur social, economic, and cultural development.
In this lecture and Q&A, Christophe Bouleau of AKTC’s Historic Cities Programme discussed historic sites in the context of development, how AKTC works with communities, and how an integrated development approach could be beneficial in Canada.
/ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/04/19/delegation-of-the-ismaili-imamat-presents-saving-heritage-preserving-history-in-the-developing-world/
Held February 24, 2016: Harnessing the culture and history of a region can be a powerful driver of development and progress – but protecting and restoring historic sites and artifacts continues to be challenging in unstable and vulnerable parts of the developing world.
Despite these barriers, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture works to revitalize culture and protect heritage, including projects to restore historic structures; create and rehabilitate public spaces, parks, and gardens; and support community-based projects to spur social, economic, and cultural development.
In this lecture and Q&A, Christophe Bouleau of AKTC’s Historic Cities Programme discussed historic sites in the context of development, how AKTC works with communities, and how an integrated development approach could be beneficial in Canada.
/ismailimail.wordpress.com/2016/04/19/delegation-of-the-ismaili-imamat-presents-saving-heritage-preserving-history-in-the-developing-world/
Ottawa Peace Talks
April 19, 2016
Organized under the theme “Let’s build peace through diversity”, the Ottawa Peace Talks aims to inspire reflection and discussion about how respect for diversity can promote more peaceful societies through inclusion, both in Canada and globally. This event marks the first time the Peace Talks are held in Canada. Speakers coming from diverse backgrounds will share their personal experiences, stories and ideas to highlight the importance of building peace through broad and diverse participation. The Ottawa Peace Talks will also look at the role of individual Canadians, and Canada as a whole, to support greater inclusion for peace at home and at the global level.
The purpose of the Peace Talks is to expand the space for discussion about building peace and resolving conflict. The Peace Talks aim to change perceptions about peace and to make the issue of peace more understandable and accessible to a wider public. The Peace Talks event series began in 2013, with the first ever Geneva Peace Talks being co-organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and Interpeace.
Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Tuesday, April 19th
5:30 PM Reception
6:00 PM Peace Talks
Watch the event: VIDEO
http://www.pluralism.ca/en/events/forum ... talks.html
The Ottawa Peace Talks were co-presented by the Global Centre for Pluralism and Interpeace.
The speaker order is as follows:
1.The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson
2.Roberta Jamieson
3.The Hon. Maryam Monsef
4.Michele Brandt
5.Roméo Dallaire
6.Emmanuel Jal
7.Alaa Murabit
8.Giovanna Mingarelli
9.Désirée McGraw
10.Hamoon Ekhtiari
11.Erum Hasan and Nisreen Ismail
April 19, 2016
Organized under the theme “Let’s build peace through diversity”, the Ottawa Peace Talks aims to inspire reflection and discussion about how respect for diversity can promote more peaceful societies through inclusion, both in Canada and globally. This event marks the first time the Peace Talks are held in Canada. Speakers coming from diverse backgrounds will share their personal experiences, stories and ideas to highlight the importance of building peace through broad and diverse participation. The Ottawa Peace Talks will also look at the role of individual Canadians, and Canada as a whole, to support greater inclusion for peace at home and at the global level.
The purpose of the Peace Talks is to expand the space for discussion about building peace and resolving conflict. The Peace Talks aim to change perceptions about peace and to make the issue of peace more understandable and accessible to a wider public. The Peace Talks event series began in 2013, with the first ever Geneva Peace Talks being co-organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and Interpeace.
Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Tuesday, April 19th
5:30 PM Reception
6:00 PM Peace Talks
Watch the event: VIDEO
http://www.pluralism.ca/en/events/forum ... talks.html
The Ottawa Peace Talks were co-presented by the Global Centre for Pluralism and Interpeace.
The speaker order is as follows:
1.The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson
2.Roberta Jamieson
3.The Hon. Maryam Monsef
4.Michele Brandt
5.Roméo Dallaire
6.Emmanuel Jal
7.Alaa Murabit
8.Giovanna Mingarelli
9.Désirée McGraw
10.Hamoon Ekhtiari
11.Erum Hasan and Nisreen Ismail
Canadians fête Imamat Day at Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
TheIsmaili.org
12 July 2016
Ottawa, 12 July 2016 — Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 59th Imamat Day was celebrated at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat on Thursday at a reception organised by the Aga Khan Development Network Resident Representative for Canada.
AKDN Representative Dr Mahmoud Eboo and his wife Karima hosted the event, which was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Governor General, Parliament and the Government of Canada, as well as civil society leaders and members of the Ismaili community, including Ismaili Council for Canada President Malik Talib.
The Honourable Senator Peter Harder addressed the gathering on behalf of the government.
“I am delighted to mark the 59th anniversary since Prince Karim Aga Khan became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, having descended directly from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family),” said Senator Harder. “Canadians appreciate the Aga Khan’s recognition of our country as a model for pluralism around the world. We also take great pride in His Highness’ acceptance of honorary Canadian citizenship.”
The Senator acknowledged the millions of Ismailis around the world who celebrate Imamat Day, and applauded the contributions that Canadian Ismailis make to Canada.
Approximately 100 guests were present at the evening event. They learnt of the scope and breadth of the work of the Ismaili Imamat, the many of countries in which the AKDN operates, as well as the activities of the various agencies in those countries. Some ambassadors, while aware of the Development Network’s engagement in their own countries, were astonished at the extent of its contributions in other parts of the world.
Explaining the significance of Imamat Day, Dr Eboo described the Ismaili Imamat as “the ancient and historical institutional office representing the succession of Ismaili Imams from the first Imam, Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law.”
“Throughout history,” he said, “the Ismaili Imamat has been an institution that has sought to uphold the values of a thinking Islam, of pluralism as a fundamental ethic, of the inherent value of human dignity, and of our shared responsibility for the environment. The Imamat has pursued this through the building of civil society capacity in support of governments.”
Senator Harder recalled that he first met Mawlana Hazar Imam 27 years ago, and spoke of the lessons that he has learnt since — the need for greater understanding between the West and Muslim civilisations, the urgency for societies to foster a cosmopolitan ethic across an increasingly interconnected globe, and the importance of nurturing successful pluralist societies.
“Around the world, ignorance, intolerance and zealotry are equal-opportunity curses to all religions and are chasing faith out of public life — this needs to change,” observed Senator Harder. “The Aga Khan offers an effective antidote. Diversity, tolerance and human rights must be the path forward. I know Prime Minister Trudeau and His Highness affirmed those values in their recent meeting.”
Part of that antidote lay in the institutions that Mawlana Hazar Imam has established, which shed light on the contributions of Islam and Muslim civilisations to the shared progress of humanity.
“Here in Canada, the Global Centre for Pluralism, a 50/50 partnership between the Government of Canada and the Imamat, will formally open its headquarters at 330 Sussex in 2017 during Canada’s sesquicentennial and His Highness’ Diamond Jubilee,” said Dr Eboo. “Additionally, the Imamat has formal agreements with the provinces of Alberta and Ontario, as well as partnerships with British Columbia and Quebec and with Canadian universities including the University of Alberta, McGill, McMaster, University of Toronto, Simon Fraser University, and Seneca College.”
“In a troubled world, where Islam is often misperceived, misrepresented, mischaracterised and misunderstood, His Highness has sought to educate, through a multiplicity of programmes and physical spaces he has built in Canada and elsewhere, an understanding of Islam’s contributions to mathematics, art, culture, science, and knowledge,” added Dr Eboo.
The event highlighted the deep and extensive collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Ismaili Imamat in their efforts to enhance quality of life around the world. Senator Harder said that Canada looks forward to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s continued counsel on how the country can continue to “promote diversity and help build peace and stability around the world.”
“And next year, as Canadians celebrate our country’s 150th anniversary,” he said, “we will also celebrate His Highness’ Diamond Jubilee.”
“In marking those happy milestones together, let us find new opportunities to strengthen our friendship and advance our shared and deeply held values.”
https://www.theismaili.org/news-events/ ... ion-imamat
TheIsmaili.org
12 July 2016
Ottawa, 12 July 2016 — Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 59th Imamat Day was celebrated at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat on Thursday at a reception organised by the Aga Khan Development Network Resident Representative for Canada.
AKDN Representative Dr Mahmoud Eboo and his wife Karima hosted the event, which was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Governor General, Parliament and the Government of Canada, as well as civil society leaders and members of the Ismaili community, including Ismaili Council for Canada President Malik Talib.
The Honourable Senator Peter Harder addressed the gathering on behalf of the government.
“I am delighted to mark the 59th anniversary since Prince Karim Aga Khan became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, having descended directly from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family),” said Senator Harder. “Canadians appreciate the Aga Khan’s recognition of our country as a model for pluralism around the world. We also take great pride in His Highness’ acceptance of honorary Canadian citizenship.”
The Senator acknowledged the millions of Ismailis around the world who celebrate Imamat Day, and applauded the contributions that Canadian Ismailis make to Canada.
Approximately 100 guests were present at the evening event. They learnt of the scope and breadth of the work of the Ismaili Imamat, the many of countries in which the AKDN operates, as well as the activities of the various agencies in those countries. Some ambassadors, while aware of the Development Network’s engagement in their own countries, were astonished at the extent of its contributions in other parts of the world.
Explaining the significance of Imamat Day, Dr Eboo described the Ismaili Imamat as “the ancient and historical institutional office representing the succession of Ismaili Imams from the first Imam, Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law.”
“Throughout history,” he said, “the Ismaili Imamat has been an institution that has sought to uphold the values of a thinking Islam, of pluralism as a fundamental ethic, of the inherent value of human dignity, and of our shared responsibility for the environment. The Imamat has pursued this through the building of civil society capacity in support of governments.”
Senator Harder recalled that he first met Mawlana Hazar Imam 27 years ago, and spoke of the lessons that he has learnt since — the need for greater understanding between the West and Muslim civilisations, the urgency for societies to foster a cosmopolitan ethic across an increasingly interconnected globe, and the importance of nurturing successful pluralist societies.
“Around the world, ignorance, intolerance and zealotry are equal-opportunity curses to all religions and are chasing faith out of public life — this needs to change,” observed Senator Harder. “The Aga Khan offers an effective antidote. Diversity, tolerance and human rights must be the path forward. I know Prime Minister Trudeau and His Highness affirmed those values in their recent meeting.”
Part of that antidote lay in the institutions that Mawlana Hazar Imam has established, which shed light on the contributions of Islam and Muslim civilisations to the shared progress of humanity.
“Here in Canada, the Global Centre for Pluralism, a 50/50 partnership between the Government of Canada and the Imamat, will formally open its headquarters at 330 Sussex in 2017 during Canada’s sesquicentennial and His Highness’ Diamond Jubilee,” said Dr Eboo. “Additionally, the Imamat has formal agreements with the provinces of Alberta and Ontario, as well as partnerships with British Columbia and Quebec and with Canadian universities including the University of Alberta, McGill, McMaster, University of Toronto, Simon Fraser University, and Seneca College.”
“In a troubled world, where Islam is often misperceived, misrepresented, mischaracterised and misunderstood, His Highness has sought to educate, through a multiplicity of programmes and physical spaces he has built in Canada and elsewhere, an understanding of Islam’s contributions to mathematics, art, culture, science, and knowledge,” added Dr Eboo.
The event highlighted the deep and extensive collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Ismaili Imamat in their efforts to enhance quality of life around the world. Senator Harder said that Canada looks forward to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s continued counsel on how the country can continue to “promote diversity and help build peace and stability around the world.”
“And next year, as Canadians celebrate our country’s 150th anniversary,” he said, “we will also celebrate His Highness’ Diamond Jubilee.”
“In marking those happy milestones together, let us find new opportunities to strengthen our friendship and advance our shared and deeply held values.”
https://www.theismaili.org/news-events/ ... ion-imamat
Embracing Complexity: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Development and Humanitarian Assistance
September 21, 2016 - How do we know what works in development? In crisis or conflict situations, how do we determine the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions?
Impact evaluations are a complex but critical component of development policy and practice. Done well, they provide evidence of the effectiveness of interventions and offer lessons for future programs. In crisis or conflict situations, however, assessing the impact of interventions is even more challenging and complex, given the urgency for immediate response. In both development and humanitarian contexts, embracing complexity is key to measuring impact.
Join Aga Khan Foundation Canada for the fourth event of our series on Measuring Development Impact, Embracing Complexity with Dr. Jyotsna (Jo) Puri, Deputy Executive Director and Head of Evaluation, International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). Dr. Puri’s presentation will explore the evidence on what is working, how and for whom, in both development and crisis situations. She will talk about the nature of that evidence and focus specifically on areas such as climate change, governance and humanitarian assistance - areas that have traditionally received less attention in the search for evidence of development impact.
Register Now!
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
The Delegation of the Ismaili
199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON
If you cannot attend in person, register to watch the live webcast.
http://www.akfc.ca/en/events/item/273-e ... complexity
September 21, 2016 - How do we know what works in development? In crisis or conflict situations, how do we determine the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions?
Impact evaluations are a complex but critical component of development policy and practice. Done well, they provide evidence of the effectiveness of interventions and offer lessons for future programs. In crisis or conflict situations, however, assessing the impact of interventions is even more challenging and complex, given the urgency for immediate response. In both development and humanitarian contexts, embracing complexity is key to measuring impact.
Join Aga Khan Foundation Canada for the fourth event of our series on Measuring Development Impact, Embracing Complexity with Dr. Jyotsna (Jo) Puri, Deputy Executive Director and Head of Evaluation, International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). Dr. Puri’s presentation will explore the evidence on what is working, how and for whom, in both development and crisis situations. She will talk about the nature of that evidence and focus specifically on areas such as climate change, governance and humanitarian assistance - areas that have traditionally received less attention in the search for evidence of development impact.
Register Now!
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
The Delegation of the Ismaili
199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON
If you cannot attend in person, register to watch the live webcast.
http://www.akfc.ca/en/events/item/273-e ... complexity
Itinerant Gardens / Jardins migrateurs
Concert details and tickets / Détails du concert et billets
July 10 juillet | 17:00
This event is included with your festival pass. Click here to purchase your pass.
Ce concert est compris avec votre passeport du festival. Cliquez ici pour acheter votre passeport.
Scroll down to order tickets.
Faites défiler l’écran vers le bas pour acheter les billets.
The Montreal-based ensemble Constantinople is truly unique – seeking geographical, historical, cultural and inner journeys, while drawing inspiration from all sources, to aim for distant horizons. Itinerant Gardens is a poetic encounter between strings and voice, from the epics of the Mandingo Kingdom to the music of the Persian court. This concert will be held at the breathtaking Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat.
Program / Programme
ITINERANT GARDENS
A poetic encounter between strings and voice, from the epics of the
Mandingo Kingdom to the music of the Persian court.
JARDINS MIGRATEURS
Une rencontre poétique entre cordes et voix,
des épopées du Royaume mandingue aux musiques de cours persanes.
Website for Constantinople / Site web de Constantinople
+ Google Calendar+ iCal Export
Details
Date: July 10 Time:
17:00
Cost: $10 - $70 Event Categories:Festival Ticket, Regular Pass Event
Venue
Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
199 Sussex Dr.
Ottawa, ON K1N 1K6 Canada + Google Map
Organizer
Music and Beyond Phone: 613.241.0777 Email: [email protected] Website: www.musicandbeyond.ca
https://musicandbeyond.ca/event/itinera ... t-billets/
Concert details and tickets / Détails du concert et billets
July 10 juillet | 17:00
This event is included with your festival pass. Click here to purchase your pass.
Ce concert est compris avec votre passeport du festival. Cliquez ici pour acheter votre passeport.
Scroll down to order tickets.
Faites défiler l’écran vers le bas pour acheter les billets.
The Montreal-based ensemble Constantinople is truly unique – seeking geographical, historical, cultural and inner journeys, while drawing inspiration from all sources, to aim for distant horizons. Itinerant Gardens is a poetic encounter between strings and voice, from the epics of the Mandingo Kingdom to the music of the Persian court. This concert will be held at the breathtaking Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat.
Program / Programme
ITINERANT GARDENS
A poetic encounter between strings and voice, from the epics of the
Mandingo Kingdom to the music of the Persian court.
JARDINS MIGRATEURS
Une rencontre poétique entre cordes et voix,
des épopées du Royaume mandingue aux musiques de cours persanes.
Website for Constantinople / Site web de Constantinople
+ Google Calendar+ iCal Export
Details
Date: July 10 Time:
17:00
Cost: $10 - $70 Event Categories:Festival Ticket, Regular Pass Event
Venue
Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
199 Sussex Dr.
Ottawa, ON K1N 1K6 Canada + Google Map
Organizer
Music and Beyond Phone: 613.241.0777 Email: [email protected] Website: www.musicandbeyond.ca
https://musicandbeyond.ca/event/itinera ... t-billets/
Take a Virtual Tour of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
Multi Media:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/Rd0pz7Z7uAX4S/
Multi Media:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/Rd0pz7Z7uAX4S/
UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls for action on climate-caused displacement
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grand addressed the guests while Dr Mahmoud Eboo, Representative of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat; the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development; the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion; and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship looked on.
Ottawa, Canada, 9 May 2022 – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for action to tackle climate change – a major factor contributing to the world’s worsening refugee crisis.
Last month Mr Grandi addressed government officials and diplomats at a reception hosted in his honour at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa. The main purpose of the evening was to provide him an opportunity to share UNHCR’s views of the critical issues causing global migration that urgently need to be addressed, and to consider possible solutions for how these issues could collectively be resolved. Guests included Canada’s Minister of International Development, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion, along with more than 30 ambassadors and senior leaders from civil society.
Mr Grandi took the opportunity to applaud the Canadian government for what he called “a star programme” amongst resettlement programmes around the world: “Tonight is an opportunity to thank Canada for this exemplary role, this leadership role it is playing in the world to support the cause of refugees, not only morally and politically but also for the financial contributions it has made in many of the countries represented here.”
Vulnerable populations living in some of the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected countries are often disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. Mr Grandi noted that 90 percent of refugees originate from countries most vulnerable to climate change, and that the countries with the highest numbers of refugees are also amongst the most vulnerable to climate change: Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar.
Mr Grandi remarked that as the UN’s protection agency, UNHCR has had to adapt to succeed in its mandated role, including ensuring the environmental sustainability of its own facilities and operations and assuring climate resilience for displaced persons and their hosts by facilitating access to protection and assistance. He emphasised that waiting for disaster to strike is not an option, and that there is an urgent need to invest in preparedness to prevent further climate-caused displacement.
In recent trips to Tajikistan and Afghanistan, Mr Grandi visited programmes undertaken by UNHCR in partnership with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). UNHCR and the AKDN have a long history of collaboration, especially in South and Central Asia and the Middle East, to serve and support displaced and at-risk populations. The two organisations are currently working together to provide extensive humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.
Dr Mahmoud Eboo, Representative of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat to Canada, spoke about the longstanding partnership between the institutions of the Ismaili Imamat and the UN system across a wide spectrum of issues, including refugee resettlement, food insecurity, cultural restoration, humanitarian assistance and access to health care. He noted that the Aga Khan’s grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, served as the 21st president of the Assembly of the League of Nations; his father, Prince Aly Khan, served as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN; and his uncle, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, served as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Mr Grandi also paid tribute to the extraordinary leadership of Prince Sadruddin in expanding the scope and scale of UNHCR into an agency capable of managing and responding to humanitarian crises globally.
In discussing the current realities of displacement and migration, Canada’s Minister for International Development, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, spoke about the need to change the mindset from one that focuses on a humanitarian crisis, to one where we collectively try to ensure that young people have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Minister Sajjan also emphasised that governments, UN agencies and international organisations like the AKDN, all working together on development efforts, are crucial to conflict prevention efforts.
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/un-h ... splacement
Minister Joly announces appointment of the Honourable Ralph Goodale as representative of Canada to Ismaili Imamat
News release
December 13, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner of Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization, as the new representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat.
This appointment reflects the importance that Canada places on its partnership with the Ismaili Imamat. As representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat, High Commissioner Goodale will work to further enhance relations through strategic-level dialogue and collaboration on areas of shared interest, such as international development, foreign policy, peace and security, and on shared trade and economic objectives, as well as on the promotion of human rights, pluralism and respect for diversity.
Canada and the Ismaili Imamat enjoy a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship, including through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan Foundation Canada, both of which are strategic partners of Canada in the promotion of democracy and reduction of poverty around the world.
Quotes
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ralph Goodale as the new representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat. The leadership of His Highness has played a valuable role in strengthening relations with Canada, and I look forward to further enhancing Canada’s partnership with the Ismaili Imamat as High Commissioner Goodale takes on his new role.”
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
- His Highness the Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.
- Canada and the Ismaili Imamat formally established their relationship in 2014, building on a long-standing partnership in the sphere of international development and expanding it into other areas, including engagement on foreign policy issues, trade and economic cooperation, and the raising of awareness in Canada of Islam and the Muslim world.
- In 2022 Canada marked 50 years since it had welcomed thousands of Ugandan Asian refugees. This was a milestone in Canada-Ismaili relations, since many of the refugees were Ismaili.
- The Government of Canada and His Highness the Aga Khan are also partners in the Global Centre for Pluralism, a secular, not-for-profit international research and education centre.
Contacts
Isabella Orozco-Madison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
[email protected]
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
[email protected]
https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs ... mamat.html
December 13, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner of Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization, as the new representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat.
This appointment reflects the importance that Canada places on its partnership with the Ismaili Imamat. As representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat, High Commissioner Goodale will work to further enhance relations through strategic-level dialogue and collaboration on areas of shared interest, such as international development, foreign policy, peace and security, and on shared trade and economic objectives, as well as on the promotion of human rights, pluralism and respect for diversity.
Canada and the Ismaili Imamat enjoy a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship, including through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan Foundation Canada, both of which are strategic partners of Canada in the promotion of democracy and reduction of poverty around the world.
Quotes
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ralph Goodale as the new representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat. The leadership of His Highness has played a valuable role in strengthening relations with Canada, and I look forward to further enhancing Canada’s partnership with the Ismaili Imamat as High Commissioner Goodale takes on his new role.”
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
- His Highness the Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.
- Canada and the Ismaili Imamat formally established their relationship in 2014, building on a long-standing partnership in the sphere of international development and expanding it into other areas, including engagement on foreign policy issues, trade and economic cooperation, and the raising of awareness in Canada of Islam and the Muslim world.
- In 2022 Canada marked 50 years since it had welcomed thousands of Ugandan Asian refugees. This was a milestone in Canada-Ismaili relations, since many of the refugees were Ismaili.
- The Government of Canada and His Highness the Aga Khan are also partners in the Global Centre for Pluralism, a secular, not-for-profit international research and education centre.
Contacts
Isabella Orozco-Madison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
[email protected]
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
[email protected]
https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs ... mamat.html
Re: delegation of ismaili imamat in Ottawa
New Representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat presents credentials
Canada’s Representative to the Ismaili Imamat, His Excellency Ralph Goodale, presented his credentials today at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat.
His Excellency, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, today presented his credentials as the Representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat. Prince Rahim received Mr Goodale’s credentials on behalf of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
Today’s ceremony was the first formal presentation of diplomatic credentials to take place at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon. Mr Goodale is the third appointee by Canada since the signing in 2014 of a Protocol of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Ismaili Imamat. The Protocol enables reciprocal appointments of diplomatic representatives. Mr. Goodale succeeds Marc-André Blanchard, Canada’s then Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, and Gordon Campbell, Canada’s then High Commissioner in the United Kingdom.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Prince Rahim commented on the long relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and Canada. “The relationship, as you know, goes back more than 50 years,” he said.
“The work we have done with the Canadian Government has attempted to address some of the major issues of our time, and continues to do so. Canada has been a preferred partner for the Imamat in the work we do internationally, but domestically as well.”
In responding on behalf of the Government of Canada, Representative Goodale paid tribute to the Jamat in Canada: “Within Canada, the Ismaili community has flourished for the past 50 years and it contributes very significantly to enhancing the strength and the prosperity of our diverse country. Through their unwavering dedication to service and to helping other people and those in need, the Ismaili Muslim community exemplifies the best of what it means to be Canadian.”
He went on to speak of the work of the AKDN: “Canada has been inspired by the work of the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network to reduce poverty, improve education and healthcare, empower women and girls, and help develop infrastructure in underserved regions. Over many years, these efforts have improved the lives of quite literally millions of people around the world.”
In announcing Representative Goodale’s appointment in December 2023, the Government of Canada said that it “reflects the importance that Canada places on its partnership with the Ismaili Imamat. As Representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat, High Commissioner Goodale will work to further enhance relations through strategic-level dialogue and collaboration on areas of shared interest, such as international development, foreign policy, peace, and security, and on shared trade and economic objectives, as well as on the promotion of human rights, pluralism, and respect for diversity. Canada and the Ismaili Imamat enjoy a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship, including through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan Foundation Canada, both of which are strategic partners of Canada in the promotion of democracy and reduction of poverty around the world.”
https://the.ismaili/global/news/imamat- ... redentials
Canada’s Representative to the Ismaili Imamat, His Excellency Ralph Goodale, presented his credentials today at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat.
His Excellency, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, today presented his credentials as the Representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat. Prince Rahim received Mr Goodale’s credentials on behalf of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
Today’s ceremony was the first formal presentation of diplomatic credentials to take place at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon. Mr Goodale is the third appointee by Canada since the signing in 2014 of a Protocol of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Ismaili Imamat. The Protocol enables reciprocal appointments of diplomatic representatives. Mr. Goodale succeeds Marc-André Blanchard, Canada’s then Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, and Gordon Campbell, Canada’s then High Commissioner in the United Kingdom.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Prince Rahim commented on the long relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and Canada. “The relationship, as you know, goes back more than 50 years,” he said.
“The work we have done with the Canadian Government has attempted to address some of the major issues of our time, and continues to do so. Canada has been a preferred partner for the Imamat in the work we do internationally, but domestically as well.”
In responding on behalf of the Government of Canada, Representative Goodale paid tribute to the Jamat in Canada: “Within Canada, the Ismaili community has flourished for the past 50 years and it contributes very significantly to enhancing the strength and the prosperity of our diverse country. Through their unwavering dedication to service and to helping other people and those in need, the Ismaili Muslim community exemplifies the best of what it means to be Canadian.”
He went on to speak of the work of the AKDN: “Canada has been inspired by the work of the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network to reduce poverty, improve education and healthcare, empower women and girls, and help develop infrastructure in underserved regions. Over many years, these efforts have improved the lives of quite literally millions of people around the world.”
In announcing Representative Goodale’s appointment in December 2023, the Government of Canada said that it “reflects the importance that Canada places on its partnership with the Ismaili Imamat. As Representative of Canada to the Ismaili Imamat, High Commissioner Goodale will work to further enhance relations through strategic-level dialogue and collaboration on areas of shared interest, such as international development, foreign policy, peace, and security, and on shared trade and economic objectives, as well as on the promotion of human rights, pluralism, and respect for diversity. Canada and the Ismaili Imamat enjoy a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship, including through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan Foundation Canada, both of which are strategic partners of Canada in the promotion of democracy and reduction of poverty around the world.”
https://the.ismaili/global/news/imamat- ... redentials