The Global Centre for Pluralism was established as a partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and the Government of Canada, working to influence perspectives, inform policies and inspire actions to advance pluralism. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV discussed his aspirations for the Centre in this speech at the opening of the headquarters of the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, Canada on 16 May 2017. Please note that although the majority of this speech is in English, it does contain a short section in French. A translation is available in the podcast’s transcript and on the Aga Khan Development Network website.

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Investing in cultural heritage can have a positive impact on the quality of life in developing societies, offering hope to poor and vulnerable communities. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV spoke about the AKDN’s work in cultural preservation in this speech at the Royal Toledo Foundation award ceremony on 2 March 2006 in Toledo, Spain. 

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The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, or AKFED, is a for-profit agency that reinvests all of its profits into future development activities. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV discussed the work and impact that AKFED companies seek to make in this speech at the opening of Alltex EPZ Ltd in Athi River, Kenya on 19 December 2003. 

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Prior to the opening of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, objects from its collection were exhibited in various museums and galleries around the world. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV spoke about the educational role that the arts can play in addressing knowledge gaps about the Muslim world in this speech at the Spirit and Life exhibition in London, UK on 12 July 2007.

While many of the AKDN’s park and garden projects have been part of development efforts in Asia and Africa, several garden projects have also been built in North America and Europe with a purpose to educate Western societies about Muslim cultures and values. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV spoke about the inspiring power of Islamic gardens in this speech at the opening of the Aga Khan Garden in Edmonton, Canada on 16 October 2018.

The North-South Prize is awarded each year to two candidates who promote solidarity between the North and South, and have distinguished themselves in the protection of human rights, defence of pluralist democracy, and raising public awareness on issues of global interdependence and solidarity. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV discussed the importance of pluralism and hope in this speech at the North-South Prize Ceremony on 12 June 2014 in Lisbon, Portugal. 

Tourism is one way to help spark investment in developing societies. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV spoke about the role that luxury hotels, tourism, and for-profit ventures play in the development work of the AKDN in this speech at the opening of the Serena Hotel in Kampala, Uganda on 10 November 2006.

In order for developing countries to be transformed into peaceful and productive modern societies, certain components need to be in place. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV discussed the preconditions for uplifting developing societies, including democracy, pluralism, and civil society, in this speech to the annual Conference of German Ambassadors on 6 September 2004 in Berlin, Germany.

The development of the Internet has caused massive changes in global communications and the proliferation of knowledge, particularly since its rapid rise in the 1990s. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV discussed the AKDN’s pioneering uses of information technologies to enhance their development work in the areas of culture, health care, and education in this speech at the World Bank InfoDev Conference on 10 November 1999 in Washington, D.C., USA.

Mountain societies face several unique development challenges, including many countries in Central Asia where the AKDN is active. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV discussed the problems and potentials of mountain communities in this speech at the Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on 31 October 2002.