http://www.philanthropyforum.org/forum/Jane%27s_Blog2.asp?SnID=1240529971
Thursday April 23, 2009: Day 2, 8th Annual Global Philanthropy Forum
This interlude preceded the considered remarks of His Highness the Aga Khan, Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. A man who has devoted fifty years to poverty alleviation throughout Africa, and from the Middle East to Pakistan noted that “building successful nation states will depend — as it did during industrialization in the West — on providing significantly more access to opportunities for rural populations…It requires that the quality of rural life is a daily concern for national governments.”
He urged fellow philanthropists to work with governments and traditional institutions to harness a massive, coordinated effort to reach the rural poor. “Longstanding values and traditions must be understood and related to modern life; these institutions are among the best means we have for improving the lives of most people in the developing world, who remain in rural communities.”
A large percent of the world’s problems have been born in the countryside of the poorest countries; by ignoring these areas, the Aga Khan argued, the entire world becomes vulnerable to the risk of conflict. His Highness also discussed his multiple-input approach to tackling development problems, and likened this approach to Secretary Clinton’s emphasis on finding the greatest impact from different sectors through strategic partnerships. On a personal note, he shared with participants the perceived tensions between his relationship with his work as the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and his relationship with his work as a philanthropist. Such tensions, however, have been falsely created by what he calls the clash of ignorance between Muslim and Christian societies. Islam, he explained, places strong value on the elimination of poverty in society, and an even stronger value on philanthropy’s central role in this process. He expressed optimism about President Obama, who is committed to working with people across regions and sectors to reduce misunderstanding, so that we can work in partnership to address endemic poverty.
http://www.philanthropyforum.org/forum/Jane%27s_Blog2.asp?SnID=1240529971
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Ismailimail 
In this world the ROLE of Prince Karim Aga Khan is very crucial, fundamental and important. The clash of civilisation as has been interpreted by His Highness as CLASH OF IGNORANCE reveal that ignorance is the real source of clash as the knowledge and submissiveness is source of integrity and stability. Such harmonious development may be initiated from within and in a natural way not under any economic, political and cultural compulsion.
His Highness’s ROLE is important because of his historical, religious, and political status and perspective. He is not an ordinary billionaire and philanthropist. His status lay in his Islamic Perspective and ROLE. In response of his role and status he feels himself bound to PLAY His new Challenging ROLE to create harmony and develop pluralistic values first in the Umma and secondly in the global scenario.
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Related:
Q & A: Jane Wales on Global Philanthropy
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/hbreditors/2009/04/in_advance_of_the_eighth.html
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