His Highness the Aga Khan with President Mandela when a similar agreement was signed between President Chissano of Mozambique and His Highness the Agakhan on August 11, 1998 Dar grants Aga Khan group enhanced status
By JAINDI KISERO in Dar es Salaam - August 17, 2001
Source: Daily NationThe Aga Khan yesterday signed an agreement with the government of Tanzania, granting enhanced diplomatic status to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) which manages and co-ordinates the group's social and economic development programmes.
The agreement was signed between President Benjamin Mkapa and the Aga Khan at a high profile ceremony at State House Dar es Salaam.
Until yesterday, relations between the parties were governed by a "co-operation accord" last signed in 1991.
AKDN's new status means the organisation and its staff will enjoy limited diplomatic privileges.
The network's economic activities are carried out by the Aga Khan Foundation for Economic Development (AKFED) and its affiliate, Tourism Promotion Services, and financial companies in Asia and Africa.
AKFED and associated companies control assets in excess of $750 million.
Speaking after the ceremony, the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili community worldwide, said the new co-operation agreement would make it possible for the group to conceptualise long term programmes and to look at its engagement in the country more strategically.
"Building institutions in Africa is a long term commitment for us," he said, describing Aids as a major threat to Africa's development and promising greater involvement by the group in assisting institutions involved in educating the public on the risks of the scourge.
Viewed here as one of the largest contributors to the recovery of Tanzania's tourism, yesterday's event also signified the government's recognition of the group's role in the revival of the country's principal foreign exchange earner.
Since 1996, the Serena Group has brought to the marketplace five new international tourist class hotels and lodges and a luxury tented camp in the leading wildlife parks in Northern Tanzania.
Spurred by currency reforms and encouraged by the confidence of international lending institutions, Tanzania's tourism industry has witnessed phenomenal vibrancy in the last four years, with foreign exchange receipts galloping from $570 million in 1998 to $733 million in 1999.
During the same period, tourism arrivals rose from 482,331 to 623,325, a whopping 30 per cent increase in only one year.
The itinerary of the Aga Khan's visit includes a visit to Zanzibar today where he will tour the group's investments in the tourism industry.
Mkapa, Aga Khan sign pact to boost public services
By Joyce Mkinga - August 17, 2001
Source: IPP MediaPresident Benjamin William Mkapa and His Highness Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili, yesterday signed a co-operation agreement for development that further enhances the collaboration between the Aga khan Development Network (AKDN) and Tanzania.
Under the agreement which was signed at the State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania will co-operate with the Agakhan Development Network in areas of health, education, tourism and culture.A statement issued after the signing ceremony said the agreement is a successor agreement of the Accord of Co-operation for Development signed on July 1991, relating to the socio-economic and cultural development in Tanzania.
"In order to facilitate AKDN work in Tanzania, the government will permit the network to formalise the establishment of a mission in the country and facilitate the optimal utilisation of resources for the Network's development objective," the statement said.
New endeavours envisaged under the agreement include major tertiary education initiatives and plan by the Aga Khan University Institute for Education Development to establish a Professional Development Centre for teachers and managers of educational institutions in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Education Services.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Aga Khan said Tanzania was one of the countries of absolute priority because of its many opportunities for co-operation.
"Investing in your intelligentsia is an absolute priority," he said, highlighting the importance to Tanzania's future of its human resources.
"Much of Africa and Asia have suffered from very poor high quality tertiary education since decades. We would like to be able to assist you," he observed.
The Aga Khan said there is need for an extensive private public collaboration in Africa of all agencies functioning in the health care field to address HIV/AIDS which is the major threat to development in Africa.
He said Aga Khan Development Network, in collaboration with international agencies and governments, is trying to assist those who are already in difficulty but particularly also in educating people about the risks.
Culture was an asset which needed to be developed and cherished and therefore a programme to link southern Tanzania regions and Mozambique will boost not only tourism linkages but also cultural understanding of the two countries, he said.
President Mkapa commended the co-operation between his government and Aga Khan Development Network since its insertion.
He said investments from the network have gone a great way to underlining the good climate for economic investment in the country especially in education and tourism.
" I look forward to strengthening this kind of co-operation with us, you are not only supporters but real partners to our development efforts," he said.
The AKDN, among other things, undertakes different projects in the country such as the provision of education, health services, tourism, industry development, environment management and rehabilitation of historical artifacts.
The Aga Khan Development Network is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies and institutions with specific mandate that range from health and education to rural development, culture, architecture and the promotion of private sector enterprise.
Working in more than 20 countries the agencies and institution working together, seek to empower communities and individuals often in disadvantaged circumstances to improve living conditions and opportunities especially in Africa and Asia.
Today, the Aga Khan is schedule to meet President Aman Abeid Karume and Chief Minister, Shamsi Vuai Nahodha in Zanzibar.
Swahili Version
Mkapa atiliana saini mkataba Imamu Aga Khan
Na Mwandishi Wetu - August 17, 2001
Source: IPP Media
Rais Benjamin Mkapa na Mheshimiwa Imamu Aga Khan, wa madhehebu ya Ismailia wametiliana saini mkataba wa ushirikiano katika miradi ya kimaendeleo inayolenga kuendeleza mahusiano yaliyokuwepo kati ya Mtandao wa Maendeleo wa Aga Khan na Tanzania.Kwa mujibu wa taarifa iliyotolewa jijini Dar es Salaam mkataba wa ushirikiano ulifikiwa baada ya mkutano wa Rais na Mheshimiwa Imamu uliofanyika jijini jana.
Kwa mujibu wa taarifa hiyo katika makubaliano hayo mtandao wa Aga Khan umeruhusiwa kukamilisha rasmi uanzishwaji wa ofisi ya shughuli zake nchini kwa lengo la kuhakikisha kuwa shughuli , malengo na madhumuni ya mtandao yanatekelezwa kikamilifu.
Kwa mujibu wa taarifa hiyo baadhi ya masuala yanayoazimiwa katika mkataba huo mpya ni pamoja na kutoa elimu ya juu ya uuguzi kupitia mpango wa mafunzo ya uuguzi wa Chuo Kikuu cha Aga Khan.
Iliongeza kuwa Chuo Kikuu cha Aga Khan kitaanzisha kituo cha taaluma ya maendeleo cha walimu na viongozi waendeshaji wa taasisi za elimu nchini.
Mpango huo utafanywa kwa ushirikiano wa Aga Khan Foundation na Aga Khan Education Services.
Mtandao wa maendeleo wa Aga Khan unajumuisha muungano wa taasisi na vyombo binafsi unatoa huduma katika sekta za afya na elimu, hadi maendeleo vijijini, utamaduni, usanifu, majengo na uendelezaji wa sekta binafsi.
Rais Mkapa kwa mujibu wa taarifa hiyo alipongeza kazi za mtandao huo akisema umetoa huduma bora na kwamba miradi yake ya uwekezaji imekuwa kielelezo cha mazingira mazuri ya uwekezaji wa kiuchumi nchini.
Pamoja na kushukuru rais alisema : alisistiza.“tunatarajia ushirikiano huu utazidi kuimarika na kuendelezwa” .”Ninyi si tu wafadhili bali washika dau madhubuti katika harakati zetu za maendeleo,”.
Kwa upande wake Mheshimiwa Aga Khan alizungumza umuhimu wa rasilimali za Tanzania na kusema “kuwekeza katika elimu ni kipaumbele chetu kikubwa,”.
Aiglemont Press Release
His Highness the Aga Khan outlines expanded development initiatives for Tanzania
Areas include: Zanzibar's maritime history, tertiary education, tourism and HIV/AIDS
Zanzibar, Tanzania 17th August, 2001--Consideration of the marine and maritime dimensions of Zanzibar's history and culture, broader tourism opportunities and major education projects were among the expanded development initiatives agreed by His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims during a three-day visit to Tanzania.
In meetings with Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume and Chief Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, the Aga Khan explored various cultural and economic development possibilities relating to the marine and maritime aspects of the Island's history. Recently recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Zanzibar's Stone Town has suffered considerable decay, although some preliminary efforts to conserve and restore a few specific buildings commenced in the late 1980s in the context of broader development endeavours. Pre-eminent amongst these were a number of major development initiatives successfully launched by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) following the signing of a Protocol of Co-operation for Development between the AKDN and the Government of Zanzibar in 1988.
Yesterday, Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa and the Aga Khan signed an Agreement of Co-operation for Development that further enhances the collaboration between the AKDN and Tanzania by permitting the Network to formalise the establishment of a mission in the country and facilitate the optimal utilisation of resources for the Network's development objectives.
New endeavours envisaged under the Agreement include major tertiary education initiatives such as the Aga Khan University's Advanced Nursing Studies Programme as well as a plan by the Aga Khan University's Institute for Educational Development to establish a Professional Development Centre for teachers and managers of educational institutions, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation and the
Aga Khan Education Services.The Aga Khan highlighted the importance to Tanzania's future of its human resources. "Much of Africa and Asia have suffered from very poor tertiary education for decades," the Aga Khan said. "We would like to be able to assist you," he continued, noting that "building institutions in Africa and Asia is a long and complex exercise."
Expressing concern, the Aga Khan also pointed to the need for "an extensive private-public collaboration in Africa of all agencies functioning in the healthcare field" to address HIV/AIDS, which he characterised as "a major threat to development in Africa." "Its also an educational question, not just a care question," he said, emphasising that the Aga Khan Health Network -- not just the hospitals -- is going to be involved in collaborating with international agencies and national governments "in trying first of all to assist those who are already in difficulty, but particularly also in educating people about the risks."Citing some of "the many opportunities for extended collaboration in the years ahead," the Aga Khan also mentioned the Network's interest in Southern Tanzania as well as the potential for tourism linkages with Northern Mozambique.
Following the signing in 1991, of an earlier Agreement with Tanzania, the Network has advanced a number of initiatives in areas of social, cultural and economic development. Notable amongst these are: the completion of the first phase of the Shs.10 billion expansion of the Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam, which has increased capacity by 56 beds, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, a larger Intensive Care Unit, new pharmacy and clinical facilities for various specialisations and a doctor's plaza; new multipurpose educational facilities and expansion of School Improvement Programmes; a mini-urban redevelopment plan for Zanzibar including restoration and re-use of historic buildings and spaces; greater investment in the industrial sector; strengthening of financial service companies in the banking and insurance sectors; and the opening of major upmarket tourism facilities.
The Aga Khan Development Network is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies and institutions with specific mandates that range from health and education to rural development, culture, architecture and the promotion of private sector enterprise. These agencies and institutions, working together, seek to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in Africa and Asia. Established by the Ismaili Imamat (office of spiritual leadership) and working in over 20 countries, the Network's underlying impulse is the ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society and its agencies and institutions work for the common good of all citizens, regardless of origin, gender or religion.For further information, please contact:
The Information Department
Aiglemont
60270 Gouvieux
France
Telephone: +33.3.44.58.40.00
Fax: +33.3.44.58.11.14
Pictures of the Tanzania visit at AKDN website
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