"It is my conviction that the strengthening of institutions supporting pluralism is as critical for the welfare and progress of human society as are poverty alleviation and conflict prevention. In fact all three are intimately related…. The actions to enhance pluralism have to be matched in the developing world by programmes to alleviate poverty because, left alone, poverty will provide a context for special interests to pursue their goals in aggressive terms. That is why I passionately view the struggle against poverty, and respect for the values of pluralism, as two of the most significant tests of whether the 21st Century is to be an era of global peace, stability and progress." Aga Khan
Democracy, civil society and pluralism are the national genius of Canada
"In my experience, a country’s standing in our contemporary world is no longer recognised by what it can achieve for itself, but by what it can do for others. In this context, Canada has truly become a great, world power. An international power who takes her responsibilities seriously and whose policies have never in her history been tainted by the cruder forms of colonialism, racialism or isolationism."(Aga Khan)
"Canada has for many years been a beacon to the rest of the world for its commitment to pluralism and its support for the multicultural richness and diversity of its peoples. It is precisely this diversity that sustains the moral and dynamic coherence in public life that Canada has so successfully constructed, and is predicated on the ethic of respect for human dignity. The country has fully embraced pluralism as a foundation for its strength and growth and I am convinced that this is absolutely necessary for the stability of an interdependent world.
Successful experience with democracy, civil society and pluralism are the national genius of Canada of which much of the developing world is in dire need. It is a world of increasing dissension and conflict in which a significant contribution is the failure of different ethnic, tribal, religious, or social groups to search for, and agree upon, a common space for harmonious co-existence…. The new issue that demands the attention of the international community is the need to create stable states with self-sustainable economies and stable, inclusive forms of governance." (Aga Khan)
It is in this context that a Global Centre of Pluralism was created by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Government of Canada – a private, not-for-profit institution founded in Canada with a global mission to serve the world.
It is in this context that a Global Centre of Pluralism was created by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Government of Canada – a private, not-for-profit institution founded in Canada with a global mission to serve the world.
Mission
Advancing respect for diversity as a new global ethic and foundation for inclusive citizenship is the mission of the Global Centre for Pluralism.To support this mission, the Centre:
- fosters informed dialogue about the benefits of diversity as a global value proposition;
- researches the drivers and impediments of civic cohesion to understand why some diverse societies thrive while others fracture or fragment; and
- works in partnership with change leaders around the world to apply these place-based insights for practical effect.
"Three concepts seem to me to be essential in creating, stabilising and strengthening democracy around the world … These concepts are meritocracy, pluralism and civil society. In particular, I will ask, what role can Canada play, drawing upon her national genius, in creating or enhancing these great underpinnings of democracy in the developing world?
A democracy cannot function reasonably without two preconditions:
The first is a healthy, civil society. It is an essential bulwark that provides citizens with multiple channels through which to exercise effectively both their rights and duties of citizenship. Even at a very basic level, only a strong civil society can assure isolated rural populations, and the marginalised urban poor of a reasonable prospect of humane treatment, personal security, equity, the absence of discrimination, and access to opportunity.
The first is a healthy, civil society. It is an essential bulwark that provides citizens with multiple channels through which to exercise effectively both their rights and duties of citizenship. Even at a very basic level, only a strong civil society can assure isolated rural populations, and the marginalised urban poor of a reasonable prospect of humane treatment, personal security, equity, the absence of discrimination, and access to opportunity.
The second precondition is pluralism. Pluralism means peoples of diverse backgrounds and interests, coming together in organisations of varying types and goals, for different kinds and forms of creative expression, which are valuable and deserving of support by government and society as a whole.
"Pluralism is an attitude, a way of thinking, which regards our differences not as threats but as gifts -- as occasions for learning, stretching, growing -- and at the same time, as occasions for appreciating anew the beauties of one's own identity." (Aga Khan)
What is civil society? Why is it so essential to the good health of any modern state?
"By its very nature, civil society is pluralist because it seeks to speak for the multiple interests not represented by the state. I refer, for example, to organisations which ensure best practices such as legal societies and associations of accountants, doctors and engineers. The meritocracy they represent is the very foundation of pluralism. And meritocracy is one of the principles of democracy itself.
The World Bank uses the term [civil society] to refer to a wide array of organisations that have a presence in public life but are not affiliated to the state. They function on a not-for-profit basis to express the interests and values of their members and others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations. In this sense, civil society organisations are multifarious: from community and indigenous groups through faith-based and charitable organisations, to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), labour unions, professional associations and foundations.
The well-led society of the future, in my view, will be a meritocracy — where leadership roles are based on personal and intellectual excellence.
In the final analysis, no nation, no race, no individual has a monopoly of intelligence or virtue. If we are to pursue the ideal of meritocracy in human endeavour, then its most perfect form will grow out of a respect for human pluralism, so that we can harness the very best contributions from whomever and wherever they may come." (Aga Khan)
Aga Khan Pushes ‘Cosmopolitan Ethic’ For A Peaceful World
An active Civil Society can open the door for an enormous variety of energies and talents from a broad spectrum of organizations and individuals. It means opening the way for diversity. It means welcoming plurality. I believe that Canada is uniquely able to articulate and exemplify three critical underpinnings of a quality Civil Society: a commitment to pluralism, to meritocracy, and to a cosmopolitan ethic. A cosmopolitan ethic is one that welcomes the complexity of human society. It balances rights and duties, freedom and responsibility. It is an ethic for all peoples, the familiar and the Other, whether they live across the street or across the planet.(Aga Khan)
HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN DELIVERS AN ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT
Full event video with speeches by the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, the Aga Khan, Speaker of the Senate, Noel Kinsella and Speaker of the House of Commons, Andrew Scheer.
Protocol of Understanding on the Creation of a Strategic Partnership | Prime Minister of CanadaThe Government of Canada is committed to enhancing relationships with key partners in order to further promote issues of common interest. To this end, on February 27, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and His Highness the Aga Khan signed a Protocol of Understanding committing both sides to regular, high-level consultations on a range of global and regional issues.
The Protocol of Understanding aims to solidify the important partnership that Canada has developed with the Ismaili Imamat over many years. More specifically, the Protocol of Understanding will further strengthen Canada’s ties with the Aga Khan and his network by consolidating their excellent development cooperation relationship; expanding the relationship to include a broader foreign policy and trade dialogue on regions and issues of mutual interest; institutionalizing the relationship through the reciprocal appointment of representatives and the holding of annual consultations; and demonstrating how much Canada values the relationship by expanding the number of courtesies extended to the Aga Khan and his representatives in Canada.
"Among history's great truths is that a society is only able to advance to newer horizons of greater promise when it overcomes insularity, and recognises strength in difference. Despite, therefore, the tensions and conflicts, which riddle our planet, the effective world of the future is one of pluralism, a world that comprehends, accepts and builds on diversity." (Aga Khan; 2012.07.09)
"Pluralist societies are not accidents of history. They are a product of enlightened education and continuous investment by governments and all of civil society in recognising and celebrating the diversity of the world's peoples." (Aga Khan; 2011.09.16)
"It is my hope that one day pluralism will become accepted as the norm within communities and among the nations of the earth." (Aga Khan; 2011.05.08)
"Pluralism means reconciling what is unique in our individual traditions with a profound sense of what connects us to all of humankind.
"Pluralist societies are not accidents of history. They are a product of enlightened education and continuous investment by governments and all of civil society in recognising and celebrating the diversity of the world's peoples." (Aga Khan; 2011.09.16)
"It is my hope that one day pluralism will become accepted as the norm within communities and among the nations of the earth." (Aga Khan; 2011.05.08)
The Holy Qur’an says:
O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women.
What a unique and profound statement about the Oneness of humanity!"
Aga Khan
O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women.
Aga Khan
Visit of Aga Khan to Canada
On 27 February, 2014, by invitation of the Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, His Highness the Aga Khan spoke in the Chamber of the House of Commons, addressing both the Members of the Senate and the House of Commons.HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN DELIVERS AN ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT
Full event video with speeches by the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, the Aga Khan, Speaker of the Senate, Noel Kinsella and Speaker of the House of Commons, Andrew Scheer.
PM HARPER HOSTS AN EVENT IN HONOUR OF HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN’S OFFICIAL VISIT TO CANADA
Protocol of Understanding on the Creation of a Strategic Partnership | Prime Minister of Canada
Ismaili mail Blog / February 27, 2014
Ismaili mail Blog / February 27, 2014
Protocol of Understanding on the Creation of a Strategic Partnership | Prime Minister of CanadaThe Government of Canada is committed to enhancing relationships with key partners in order to further promote issues of common interest. To this end, on February 27, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and His Highness the Aga Khan signed a Protocol of Understanding committing both sides to regular, high-level consultations on a range of global and regional issues.
The Protocol of Understanding aims to solidify the important partnership that Canada has developed with the Ismaili Imamat over many years. More specifically, the Protocol of Understanding will further strengthen Canada’s ties with the Aga Khan and his network by consolidating their excellent development cooperation relationship; expanding the relationship to include a broader foreign policy and trade dialogue on regions and issues of mutual interest; institutionalizing the relationship through the reciprocal appointment of representatives and the holding of annual consultations; and demonstrating how much Canada values the relationship by expanding the number of courtesies extended to the Aga Khan and his representatives in Canada.
CBC’s The National Interview: Peter Mansbridge One on One with The Aga Khan
