Walk, run by the Aga Khan Foundation will take place in seven cities across Canada
One hundred per cent of the funds raised go directly toward the international projects, because administrative costs are covered by an Aga Khan endowment fund.
Allison Cross, Vancouver Sun Published: Friday, May 23, 2008
It began as a grassroots initiative by Ismaili women in Vancouver in 1985, but Sunday’s World Partnership Walk is open to people of all faiths and nationalities, says an event organizer.
The walk, run by the Aga Khan Foundation in Canada, will take place in seven cities across the country. B.C. chose to include the Vancouver walk in its 150th-anniversary celebrations.
“From day one, the work has been non-denominational,” said Dave Macfarlane, chair of the Vancouver walk.
“But as soon as people see the name of the foundation, they think it’s faith-based.”
The global foundation has chapters all over the world and was established in 1967 by Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
It aims to help countries in Asia and Africa overcome barriers to social and economic development. One of the goals is to help communities help themselves and foster independence.
Macfarlane visited East Africa in November to visit four of the foundation’s projects.
“I saw communities that were just starting out,” he said, adding that the first few months in any community is often focused on teaching basic project management skills. “We’re just helping them, so that it’s sustainable over time.”
The projects support the development of health resources, agriculture and micro-financing opportunities. They also train teachers at the preschool, primary and secondary school levels.
But each region in each country has different needs, Macfarlane said.
“The first country we got involved in was northern Pakistan 25 years ago,” he said. “When we went in, literacy was under 10 per cent.”
He expects about 7,000 people to converge on Stanley Park for the walk on Sunday morning.
One hundred per cent of the funds raised go directly toward the international projects, he said, because administrative costs are covered by an Aga Khan endowment fund.
“When people come out, it’s certainly to raise money but it’s also to raise awareness as well about Canada’s role in the developing world,” Macfarlane said. “We partner with [the Canadian International Development Agency] on 95 per cent of our projects.”
Registration for the seven-kilometre walk begins at 9 a.m. at Lumberman’s Arch. Opening ceremonies begin at 11 a.m.
Ismailimail 