Speeches

His Highness the Aga Khan makes his acceptance remarks at the Royal Foundation ceremony in Toledo.

Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Royal Toledo foundation award ceremony

2 March 2006

Ceremony bestowing the Honoris Causa Degree to Mawlana Hazar Imam

Acceptance remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan, University of Evora Honorary Doctorate

12 February 2006

Mawlana Hazar Imam speaking at the International Symposium at the University of Evora, watched by (left to right): Rector of the University of Evora, Professor Manuel Patricio; President Sampaio; and Professor Adriano Moreira.

Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan at Evora University Symposium

11 February 2006

“We must accompany our concern for quantity with a heightened concern for quality. Are the curricula we teach relevant to the knotty problems of the future? Or are we still providing a twentieth century education for twenty-first century leaders? Our system of Aga Khan Universities and Aga Khan Academies are addressing such questions as they work to advance the concept of meritocracy in the developing world and to maintain world class standards which will stretch our students rather than patronizing them.”

Statement by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Conference on Afghanistan (London, UK)

31 January 2006

Mawlana Hazar Imam speaking after the signing of the Protocol of Cooperation between the Ismaili Imamat and the Government of the Republic of Portugal at the Ajuda Palace.

Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan at the signing ceremony of the Protocol of Cooperation between the government of the Republic of Portugal and the Ismaili Imamat

19 December 2005

Mawlana Hazar Imam, Chancellor of AKU, addresses the Convocation gathering.

Address by His Highness the Aga Khan at the AKU Convocation in Karachi, 2005

3 December 2005

Mawlana Hazar Imam speaking at the opening ceremony of the Kabul Serena Hotel.

Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the opening of the Kabul Serena hotel

8 November 2005

Mawlana Hazar Imam gives his acceptance speech upon receiving the Andrew Carnegie Medal, as Sally Magnusson, BBC presenter, and Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights look on.

Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan upon receiving the Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy

3 October 2005

“The achievements of the AKDN would not be possible without the tireless contributions of the global community of Ismailis that I lead, residing in Central and Southern Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America. Our volunteers and contributors also include many thousands of others from multiple cultures and faiths around the world. They are united with us in our mission to help build capacity and dignity for individuals, to enable them to take control of their own development.”

Mawlana Hazar Imam gives his acceptance speech after receiving the Die Quadriga 2005 prize in recognition of his life's work in helping the poorest regions of the world.

Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan upon receiving Die Quadriga 2005 Prize

2 October 2005

“I am fortunate to lead an international community with a strong social conscience. Bridging North and South, East and West, the Ismailis have a long tradition of philanthropy, self-reliance and voluntary service. Wherever they live, they faithfully abide by the Quranic ethic of a common humanity and the dignity of man. They willingly pool knowledge and resources with all those who share our social ethic to help improve the quality of life of less fortunate men, women and children.”