Prime Minister Stephen Harper and His Highness the Aga Khan announced $100 million towards the Partnership for Advancing Human Development in Africa and Asia.
Our work has always been people-driven. It grows out of the age-old Islamic ethic, committed to goals with universal relevance: the elimination of poverty, access to education, and social peace in a pluralist environment. The AKDN’s fundamental objective is to improve the quality of human life. Amongst the great common denominators of the human race is a shared aspiration, a common hope, for a better quality of life.
– His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s historic address to both the houses of Canadian Parliament, Ottawa, Thursday, February 27, 2014.
“Partnerships are essential for accelerating development results and ensuring that we maximize the effectiveness and reach of aid dollars. Canada is pleased to partner on this initiative with Aga Khan Foundation Canada, a trusted ally who continues to do remarkable work around the world under the leadership of His Highness, a true champion of international development, pluralism and tolerance.”
– Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Toronto, Friday, February 28, 2014.
The program draws upon the intellectual, institutional, and financial capacities of both the Government of Canada and the AKDN. Under the agreement, the AKDN will contribute up to $25 million of the investment, funded by donations from individual Canadians who participate in the World Partnership Walk and World Partnership Golf fundraising events, raising millions of dollars every year. The Government of Canada will contribute $75 million.
The announcement of this initiative follows Thursday’s historic signing of a Protocol of Understanding by His Highness the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, committing Canada and the Ismaili Imamat to regular, high-level consultations on a range of global and regional issues.
The Partnership for Advancing Human Development in Africa and Asia focuses on four areas:
- Strengthening Health Systems in Central Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic)
- Strengthening Pre-Primary and Primary Education Systems in Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda)
- Building the Capacity of Civil Society Organizations in Africa and Asia (Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan and Tajikistan)
- Helping Canadians Become More Aware of, and Involved in, International Development
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