Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims was today received by President Mwai Kibaki at State House, Nairobi. The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions covering the implementation of previously articulated and new expansion plans for the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Kenya specifically and Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean region more generally. These include investments of US$ 40 million in the health sector and US$ 30 million in the education sector.

The Aga Khan Development Network will soon establish an Aids resource centre in East Africa.
The centre will assist staff members and communities in health, education and commercial sectors in addressing the Aids pandemic, the Aga Khan Foundation (East Africa) regional chief executive officer, Mr Arif Necky, said yesterday.

Speaking in Nairobi, Mr Necky said the network would involve rural communities, especially in the Coast Province, schools, staff and their families in the programme.

The IPI World Congress and 54th General Assembly will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21-24 May 2005 - the third time, after 1968 and 1981, that IPI will hold its annual general meeting in Kenya, and its fifth on the African continent.
The four-day event will discuss current issues related to the challenges facing Africa and the world, as well as topics dealing with press freedom and the communications industry. Sessions focusing on African topics include:

- 'Pluralism and Democracy - The African Experience'

- 'Africa's Development - Attracting Investment'

- 'Reporting on Africa'

UN employees who have Aids will benefit from a comprehensive medical and health care programme at the Aga Khan Hospital. In a deal between Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi Klaus Topfer and Mr Stephen Batts, the Aga Khan Health Service in East Africa chief executive, the employees will be advised on the use of anti-retroviral drugs and nutrition.They and their families will also will benefit from counselling services.

Q: Your Highness, this is a very important Energy Conference. It's the first of its kind in the world, at least the first since 1963, What do you think will be the outcome of this particular Conference?

The leaders of all African Countries today are faced with the need to raise the living standards of the mass of their peoples from mere subsistence level to a point where men and women can develop the full potential of their minds and bodies. The problem in Africa assumes urgent political dimensions if only because expectations are so much higher than they used to be. This is quite understandable when you remember the hopes that were raised during the battle for independence.

His Royal Highness Prince Aga Khan on 10 May 1961, speaking as a guest speaker, told the Nairobi Lions Club that he had never thought that it would be possible to create a multi-racial political system in Kenya. "Once independence is achieved, the real and ultimate authority in any truly democratic system is bound to be African" He said.

Your Excellencies, Your Highnesses, Your Worship, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, My spiritual children

I am most grateful for your kind address. On behalf of the Ismaili community and myself, I would like to thank all those in Nairobi who have contributed to such a wonderful welcome here.

I have been very moved by everyone's kindness, especially by the hospitality given me by His Excellency the Governor and Lady Baring.

Your Excellency The President,
Your Excellency the Vice President,
Honorable Minister for Information,
Honorable Ministers,
Your Excellencies,
Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The opening of an important new building is always a cause of celebration - and it is wonderful to know that so many people are celebrating this occasion with us.

"It gives me great pleasure to be with you this morning for the inauguration of the Nation Printing Plant. This ultra-modern printing facility makes use of the latest technology in the printing and publishing industry. The investment of seven hundred and fifty million shillings in this project is a show of the confidence that the Nation Group and indeed Your Highness, have in the future of this country. It's therefore, an important occasion for the Nation Group, the publishing industry and indeed, for Kenya.

Your Highness, Kenya and Aga Khan Development Network share a long history of co-operation. The Aga Khan Development Network has for a long time supported our development efforts by promoting socio-economic development in various fields such as health, education and rural development.

I have been following with great interest the many positive developments that have been taking place under your Excellency's leadership and I have shared your concern when the country has been occasionally faced with challenges such as the present drought. And I am always impressed by that strong sense of national response which carries you past the trials you have to cross and back again to the path of hope and progress.

Mr. Chairman and staff of the Nation Group, I must say I am very happy again to be here to see this building in full operation. It is a really exciting time for me because it is in fact a fulfillment of bringing to Kenya a communication company that would one day achieve the highest level of communication sophistication.

The leaders of all African Countries today are faced with the need to raise the living standards of the mass of their peoples from mere subsistence level to a point where men and women can develop the full potential of their minds and bodies. The problem in Africa assumes urgent political dimensions if only because expectations are so much higher than they used to be. This is quite understandable when you remember the hopes that were raised during the battle for independence.