Aga Khan awarded honorary doctorate in Ottawa
By Aneel Biswas
His Highness the Aga Khan was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa for his service to humanity.
Aga Khan, forty-ninth hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, was last week awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa for his service to humanity.
The degree was conferred at a special convocation presided over by Chancellor Huguette Labelle and University President Allan Rock.
He assumed the office of the Imamat in July 1957, and since then has worked to improve living conditions and foster social, cultural, and economic opportunities for men and women in the developing world.
The agencies of the AKDN, which he has established over the past 45 years, encompass foundations, universities and programs in 30 countries, including Aga Khan Foundation Canada.
New programs established in Canada include the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto (due to open in 2013), which exhibits art relating to the intellectual, cultural, artistic and religious heritage of Islamic communities, and the Global Centre for Pluralism, a collaboration with the Government of Canada that is founded on the premise that tolerance, openness and understanding towards the cultures, social structures, values and faiths of other peoples are essential to the very survival of an interdependent world.
Accepting the honour, Aga Khan spoke about governance and public policy and, specifically, “the difficulty of establishing workable constitutional systems — especially in countries with less experience in democratic governance”.
He said, “Constitutional arrangements should respect inherited traditions, ensure fairness to minority communities, respond to rural as well as urban concerns and underwrite equitable opportunity for a better life. Reconciling the global and the local, the urban and the rural, the regional and the national, is a formidable challenge — one that calls for the best of our intellectual energies and consistent fine-tuning over time.”
Commending the work of the University of Ottawa, and Canada, Aga Khan said: “… this University’s global effectiveness is reinforced by the high regard in which Canada is held as a valued international partner.” He went on to explain: “In my experience, a country’s standing in our contemporary world is no longer recognized by what it can achieve for itself, but by what it can do for others. In this context, Canada has truly become a great, world power.”
Addressing Aga Khan, President Rock said, “We see Your Highness’ presence today as a call to action for all in our university community who seek to serve humanity.” He described the Aga Khan as an exceptional man who has used his own faith background to speak directly to the goodness in all people.
Chancellor Labelle noted, “One of the privileges of being Chancellor is the opportunity to recognize individuals who have shown outstanding leadership and an exemplary commitment to service to others.”
Recognizing Aga Khan’s global achievements, Labelle added: “His work has bettered the lives of people and communities around the world.”
The convocation was attended by members of the university senate and faculty, leaders from various levels of government, and members of the diplomatic corps
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Posted by admin
on Jan 23 2012. Filed under British Columbia, Canadian News.
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