Trinity College Of Toronto Awards Aga Khan Honorary Degree!

TORONTO The Ismaili-Muslim leaderthe Aga Khan was awarded an honorarydegree of Doctor of Sacred Letters fromTrinity College in the University ofToronto for his service to humanity.This degree acknowledges Aga Khan’sexceptional efforts in working toimprove the health, education, and livingconditions of the poorest people of theworld by empowering them to achieveself-reliance.The degree was awarded at a special convocationpresided over by TrinityCollege’s Chancellor, the Hon. William C.Graham. Chancellor Graham noted,“Trinity College in the University ofToronto is conferring the degree ofDoctor of Sacred Letters on PrinceKarim Aga Khan in recognition of hiscontribution to peace, security and thewell being of millions of peoplethroughout the world.His encouragement of pluralism and dialogueamong all races and religions andthe global institutional framework he hasestablished in many troubled areas of theworld to further these goals and provideeducation and health services throughthe Aga Khan Development Network isan inspiration to us all. He has enrichedour country by establishing major institutionsin Canada such as the GlobalCentre for Pluralism in Ottawa and theAga Khan Museum in Toronto.Based in one of the most diverse cities inthe world, Trinity College is proud to behome to students reflecting that diversityin nationality, ethnicity, and culture.Trinity College is also home to arenowned International RelationsProgram, an undergraduate degree programthat brings historical, political andeconomic perspectives to the relationshipsbetween nations in today’s globalenvironment.Trinity College looks forward to new andexciting opportunities to collaborate withthe Aga Khan Development Network.Trinity College’s Divinity Faculty graduatespriests in the Anglican tradition. Thishonorary degree, granted to HisHighness the Aga Khan, in the presenceof the Archbishop of Toronto, symbolizesthe importance of interfaith dialoguethat is a cornerstone of our faiths.”The Convocation was attended byInterim Provost Michael Ratcliffe,Former Provost Andy Orchard, Fellowsof the College, senior members of theUniversity, community leaders and distinguishedalumni.Addressing the Convocation, the Rt.Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, alumna andHonorary Fellow of the College, said,“Having had the honour of knowing andworking with His Highness the AgaKhan for a number of years, I feel that allTrinity graduates will be delighted that heis accepting this honour to acknowledgethe work he is doing in Canada and theworld. No one has done more to further thecause of diversity, inclusion and sharingthan this remarkable leader and humanbeing.”The Aga Khan is the 49th hereditaryImam (spiritual leader) of the ShiaIsmaili Muslims and Founder andChairman of the Aga Khan DevelopmentNetwork (AKDN), one of the largest privatedevelopment agencies in the world.Since taking on his role as Imam in 1957,the Aga Khan has been deeply engaged inimproving the quality of life of the mostvulnerable populations, while emphasizingthe need to uphold human dignity as wellas respect for tolerance and pluralism.The AKDN is active in over 30 developingcountries employing some 80,000 peoplewith the support of tens of thousandsof volunteers. The Network’s underlyingethic is that of compassion for the mostvulnerable in society and service tohumanity without regard to faith, origin orgender.Aga Khan was granted honorary Canadiancitizenship in 2009. His activities inCanada include the establishment of theDelegation of the Ismaili Imamat inOttawa; the Global Centre for Pluralismin Ottawa; the Ismaili Centre inVancouver; and a major cultural complexcurrently under development in Torontothat includes the Aga Khan Museum, theIsmaili Centre, and a landscaped park.