Compiled and prepared by MALIK MERCHANT
(Publisher-Editor, Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos)

November 20, 2019: His Highness the Aga Khan presides over the 2019 Global Pluralism Award

The Global Centre for Pluralism, founded by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and the Government of Canada, recognized the three winners and seven honourable mentions at an award ceremony on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, Canada. The three winners each received a grant of $CAN50,000 and in-kind support to advance their work in promoting pluralism. The biennial Pluralism Award recognises the extraordinary achievements of organisations, individuals, and governments around the world who exemplify living peacefully and productively with diversity.

This year, the Global Centre for Pluralism received over 500 applications spanning 74 countries for the 2019 Global Pluralism Award—more than double the submissions to the inaugural awards in 2017. All nominees underwent a rigorous review and jury selection process.

The 2019 award recipients were the Center for Social Integrity, an organisation that provides youth from Myanmar’s conflict-affected regions with the skills to be leaders for change; Deborah Ahenkorah, a Ghanaian social entrepreneur and book publisher; and ‘Learning History that is not yet History’, a network in the Balkans developing a new approach to teaching the history of conflict.

The seven 2019 Global Pluralism Award Honourable mentions were Adyan Foundation (Lebanon); The Afghanistan National Institute of Music (Afghanistan); Artemisszió Foundation (Hungary); onBoard Canada; Rupantar (Bangladesh); SINGA (France); and Soliya (USA).

“Whether building peace, enabling youth leadership or bridging divides, the Award recipients are all committed to pursuing pluralism every day,” said Global Centre for Pluralism Secretary General Meredith Preston McGhie. “This is work that is challenging, sometimes dangerous. It too often goes unnoticed and unrewarded. But not tonight.”

Secretary General McGhie also took a moment to acknowledge the continuing work of the previous winners and the Centre’s role in facilitating international recognition to these accomplishments. The Centre presented screenings in Colombia and Canada of a documentary on the work of victims’ rights activist Leyner Palacios Asprilla, and has supported the production of a report on family reunification of refugees to Australia with Daniel Webb.

In his remarks, Mawlana Hazar Imam reminded us of the power of individual action in advancing pluralism, noting that “A more inclusive, understanding approach to diversity is needed more than ever today. The Award offers examples to inspire how we take on that challenge. The Award should serve as a reminder that we can all take steps, in both our personal and professional lives, to foster a more positive and productive response to the changing diversity in our world.”

VIDEO: 2019 GLOBAL PLURALISM AWARD HIGHLIGHTS

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November 19, 2019: His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Arrive in Ottawa

Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, arrived in Canada on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, accompanied by his daughter Princess Zahra, ahead of a ceremony to be held at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat on November 20 to recognise the recipients of the 2019 Global Pluralism Award.

Mawlana Hazar Imam and Princess Zahra were welcomed in Ottawa by the newly appointed President of the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for Canada, Ameerally Kassim-Lakha (see photo at top of post), AKDN Resident Representative for Canada Dr Mahmoud Eboo, and the new Global Centre for Pluralism Secretary General Meredith Preston McGhie.

Mawlana Hazar Imam announced Ameerally Kassim-Lakha as the new President on the occasion of his 62nd Imamat anniversary on July 11, 2019. His predecessor was Malik Talib, who served the maximum two terms as the President of the Aga Khan Council for Canada.

This year, the award is being granted to three recipients: the Center for Social Integrity, an organisation that provides youth from Myanmar’s conflict-affected regions with the skills to be leaders for change; Deborah Ahenkorah, a Ghanaian social entrepreneur and book publisher; and Learning History that is not yet History, a network in the Balkans developing a new approach to teaching the history of conflict. The recipients will each receive $50,000 in support of their work to build more “peaceful, sustainable and successful societies.”

The winners were chosen from 10 finalists who will also receive honourable mentions during the ceremony. Readers will be able to see the live webcast at the.ismaili/live or by clicking on the link below.

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2017: Global Pluralism Award Winners

Please see Barakah’s coverage of the 2017 Award Ceremony by clicking Exclusive photo essay – Aga Khan presides over ceremony to honour individuals dedicated to pluralism – the ideal of living together peacefully and respectfully

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2017: Global Centre for Pluralism Opening Ceremony

Please see Barakah’s exclusive coverage of the opening ceremony by clicking Great photos of a “GREAT DAY” at 330 Sussex: Aga Khan and Canada’s Governor General open Global Centre for Pluralism

Date posted: November 21, 2019.

Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 180 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, his family and the Ismaili Imamat.

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