Ottawa, Canada _ His Highness the Aga Khan today praised Canada’s efforts to reduce instability across the world and emphasized the role of strong civil society, education and good governance in fostering development of societies and in mitigating conflict.
The Aga Khan made the remarks in a historic address to a joint session of parliament at the invitation of the Right Honorable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada.
The 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) cited Canada’s civil society as exemplary and expressed gratitude for the longstanding partnership between Canada and the AKDN.
“In sum, I believe that Civil Society is one of the most powerful forces in our time – one that will become an increasingly universal influence, engulfing more countries, influencing, reshaping and sometimes even replacing ineffective regimes,” he said. “And I also believe that Civil Society around the world should be vigorously encouraged and wisely nurtured by those who have made it work most successfully – Canada first amongst all,” he added.
Ismailimail 