Global leader honoured for lifetime commitment to ideals of belonging and inclusion
At 7:30 pm on September 21, 2016 at Koerner Hall in Toronto the inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship will be awarded at the marquee event of 6 Degrees — the new public initiative of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC). The prize will be given annually to an individual who has, through thought and dialogue, encouraged approaches and strategies that strive to remove barriers, change attitudes, and reinforce the principles of tolerance and respect.
The symbolic importance of this prize has never been greater. In a time of unprecedented movement, displacement and re-settlement by immigrants and refugees, one of the central challenges we face is how we all live together.
ICC is pleased to announce that His Highness the Aga Khan is the first recipient of this globally relevant prize.
The 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, His Highness has dedicated his life’s work to improving living conditions for the world’s most vulnerable populations, and to fostering an understanding of the importance of pluralism to global harmony. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), founded and chaired by His Highness, is active in 30 countries and employs over 80,000 people. Its non-denominational agencies work in areas ranging from health and education to rural development, architecture, culture, economic sustainability and strengthening civil society.
At the award ceremony, His Highness the Aga Khan will receive the prize from the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, and will share his wisdom and experiences with the audience on issues confronting the world today. He will then be joined on stage for a conversation with Madame Clarkson.
Remarking on the prize and the selection of the recipient, Adrienne Clarkson says:
“Through his words, through his actions, and through the results obtained by the institutions that he has pioneered, he is a beacon of light in much of the world’s conflicting darkness.”
The internationally-acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Rufus Wainwright will perform in honour of the prize recipient.
The jury for the 2017 Adrienne Clarkson Prize has also been announced. It will consist of The Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, P.C., The Hon. Bill Graham, C.M., P.C., John Ralston Saul, CC, and the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson. The prize will be awarded on Sept 27, 2017.
Source: www.6degreesto.com/article/prize/
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Congratulations to Rt Hon Adrienne Clarkson on establishing this award and declaring the first winner – HH the Aga Khan Prince Karim. What a great start to this award. It comes as His Highness nears his 80th birthday (December 13) and the Diamond Jubilee of his ascension to the Imamat of the Ismailis (July 11, 2017). To Ismailis in Canada the first award by this Canada-based institution going to His Highness is particularly a propos because of His Highness’s nearly 45 years links with Canada that began in 1972 with his role in the resettlement of Uganda Asians in Canada with Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau on our abrupt expulsion from Uganda. I am sure those times will be recalled at the ceremony and it would be something wonderful if Rt Hon Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended!
As is well-known on this site, I am just about to complete a book about that trauma-filled event for us. The Aga Khan and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan (UNHCR chief at 1972)’s roles are recorded from archival sources. How Canadian immigration laws evolved from 1896 and encompassed multiculturism at late 1980s is a part of the Uganda Asian story too. The adoption of that unique law owed much to the successful resettlement of Uganda Asians, the first time Canada was admitting such a large number of non-White refugees. Then to complete the virtuous circle, it was based on that law that HIs Highness established his Global Centre for Pluralism in Canada. How many linkages to Uganda Asians!
The book should launch in March (2017) and I’d be privileged to present a signed special edition copy to Rt Hon Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor-General of Canada. Contacts have been made to Rt Hon’s office.
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