Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World - Hardcover

Aga Khan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1553653661 ISBN 13: 9781553653660

Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre, 2008

Synopsis

In this remarkable collection of talks given over the past five years, the Aga Khan surveys the modern world and sets out the principles that inform his vision for change. Again and again, he returns to three cornerstones: democracy, pluralism, and civil society. Democracy, he writes, is always fragile, requiring nurturing in ways that are practical and flexible. Pluralism must be embraced so that it exists in both fact and spirit. And a diverse and engaged civil society, which he broadly defines as including doctors' and journalists' associations, women's groups, social movements, and trade unions, must be supported in countries around the globe. In a world too often divided along economic, political, ethnic, and religious lines, the Aga Khan's words are welcome, going right to the heart of the most difficult challenges the world faces today. Eloquent, inspiring, and deeply challenging, they express hope and conviction that profound change is possible.

About this title

About the Author:

His Highness the Aga Khan is the forty-ninth hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He assumed the office of the Imamat in July 1957, making 2007 the Golden Jubilee of his spiritual leadership. The Aga Khan Development Network, a group of institutions and agencies, including non-profit hospitals and schools, is present in over thirty countries and works actively to eradicate poverty. One of the Network's recent projects is the Global Centre for Pluralism, which will be established in Ottawa in co-operation with the Government of Canada. The Aga Khan became an honorary Companion of the Order of Canada in 2005. Raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Adrienne Clarkson, was appointed Governor General of Canada in 1999 on the recommendation of Prime Minister Jean Chrï??tien. In 2005 she was succeeded by Michaelle Jean. She went on to publish her memoir, Heart Matters, founded the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, and became Colonel-in-Chief of Prince Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Review:

"The Aga Khan says he knows his work will never end because humans are not natural pluralists, and the value of pluralism must be inculcated anew in each generation. But its rewards of peace, material progress, and social unity are worth the ongoing effort." (Regina Leader-Post)

"A middling power can only smile when a world leader says not only that small is beautiful, but that that particular small country is not only competitive with the rest of the world, but in a leading spot. And the Aga Khan, leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims around the world, says that and more about Canada." (Ottawa Citizen)

"The book, in which [the Aga Khan] characterizes Canada as a model par excellence of functioning democratic pluralism, is at once a medium for educating Canadians on who he and his followers are, and a charming ode to the Canadian way of life." (The Embassy)

About this edition

• Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1553653661
• ISBN 13: 9781553653660
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 146