Lisbon, Portugal, 12 June 2014 – His Highness the Aga Khan today received the Council of Europe’s annual North-South Prize for his commitment to furthering a more pluralistic society as well as his achievements in improving the quality of life of vulnerable populations through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). He becomes the first Muslim religious leader to be awarded the Prize.

President of the Republic of Portugal, HE Cavaco Silva presented the Prize during a special ceremony at the Portuguese National Assembly’s Senate Hall.

“The North-South prize affirms principles which have long been animated and sustained by the work of the Aga Khan Development Network,” The Aga Khan said in his address. “Our Network seeks in many ways to improve the quality of human life, in health, education, in cultural and economic development. But our core conviction is that human progress depends on human cooperation, even across difficult lines of division.”

The Spiritual Leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims urged more mutual understanding between the Global North and the Muslim world, arguing that a “clash of ignorances” rather than “a clash of civilisations” was at the root of tension between the two worlds.

“As I observe the world, I am struck by the insufficiency of well-informed debate, of richer dialogue, of deeper education in our quest to avoid human conflict,” he said.

Citing examples of the recent annual pluralism lectures held at the Global Centre for Pluralism created by himself and the government of Canada, the Aga Khan spoke about the benefits of pluralism and diversity in today’s world. “We inhabit an overcrowded and interconnected planet and yet we share a common destiny. A weakness or pain in one corner can rapidly transmit itself across the globe,” he said.

The Aga Khan warned that rejection of pluralism played a significant role in breeding destructive conflicts, stressing the need to convey the message of hope.

“Instability is infectious, but so is hope. And that it is why it is so important for us to carry the torch of hope as we seek to share the gift of pluralism,” he said.

The North-South Prize was established in 1995 with the overarching goal of promoting dialogue and cooperation between Europe, the southern Mediterranean and Africa. Awarded by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, the prize recognises two exceptional individuals annually for their work in promoting pluralism and human rights.

The second laureate of the 2013 North-South Prize was Mrs Suzanne Jabbour, who received her award for her dedication to the promotion of human rights in countries of the Middle East as well as in Africa and Latin America.

For more information, please contact:
Rita Moreira de Andrade
Aga Khan Development Network Portugal
Telephone: 968630147

Semin Abdulla
Aga Khan Development Network
Telephone: +33 3 44 58 4000
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.akdn.org