“We have all seen examples of God’s most wonderful creature, the person, whether in a government bureau, a business, or a private development agency, who is inspired to give generously of himself, to go beyond the mechanical requirements of a task.
Such men and women, paid or unpaid, express the spirit of the volunteer, literally the will to make a product better, a school the best, a clinic more compassionate and effective. Their spirit, generating new ideas, resisting discouragement, and demanding results, animates the heart of every effective society.
I submit that one of our great goals, if we are to create an enabling environment of hope and determination, is to give our volunteers opportunities to become more expert and professional – more rational and skilled, without killing their passion.”
His Highness the Aga Khan
Enabling Environment Conference
Nairobi, Kenya, October 21, 1986
Speech published in Hikmat, July 1988
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“The voluntary sector represents, and can develop, all that is finest in the human potential….Yet the voluntary sector….has a tendency to follow a “charity” approach.…It is my profound conviction that steps to strengthen institutions and the linkages between them are critical to the freedom of the individual to be creative and productive in a socially responsible manner. This is the essence of the Enabling Environment….We must show greater faith in the ability of the individual to be creative.”
His Highness the Aga Khan
Keynote Address at the International Development Conference
Washington, DC, March 18, 1987
Speech at The Institute of Ismaili Studies
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“A sound enabling environment must create a favourable framework in which people’s energy and creativity can be motivated, mobilized and rewarded.”
His Highness the Aga Khan
Conference on Central Asia and Europe
Berlin, Germany, November 13, 2007
Speech at Press Centre, Aga Khan Development Network
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Compiled by Nimira Dewji
Ismailimail 