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SPEECH BY PRINCESS ZAHRA AGA KHAN AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, MONTREAL ON BEING ON BEING AWARDED AN HONORARY DOCTORAT
JUNE 9, 2025

Madame la Chancelière, Monsieur le recteur, invité d'honneur, chers diplômés, parents et amis. C'est un véritable honneur et un vrai plaisir pour moi d'être parmi vous aujourd'hui, en ce jour de célébration pour l'université de Concordia, pour l'Académie, pour toutes les familles et les amis des diplômés et surtout
pour tous les diplômés de 2025, bravo a vous tous, congratulations.

L'université de Concordia me confère aujourd'hui un grand honneur qui n'est pas le mien, mais qui revient à tous ceux qui ont œuvré pour le développement des pays ont besoin d'appui et tous ceux qui, sous la direction de mon père, participent au réseau Aga Khan de développement.

I accept this honorary degree with utmost respect, humility, and gratitude on behalf of all of those around the world, from remote remote villages to isolated valleys. Their unwavering commitment and selfless dedication to the cause of development, to improving the quality of life of people in the most vulnerable communities around the world, is the true foundation of this honor.

Cet honneur leur appartient. Lorsque j'ai rejoint mon père dans les années 80, le vocabulaire du développement était centré sur les maladies infectieuses et paraitiques, la faim et le manque de ressources, la mortalité maternelle et infantile, les économies sclérotiques, les canicules, les épidémies, les conflits, les catastrophes naturelles et la peur.

Our world remains a very unequal place, with resources ever more concentrated in the hands of a few and uneven and slow progress, particularly in developing countries. I think the COVID was a perfect example of this. While the pandemic flew around the planet, medicines and vaccines remained firmly in the hands of the wealthy states who shared very little with the lower and middle income countries. Today the issues facing the LMICs have evolved. Global warming, water scarcity and loss of biodiversity are taking the heaviest toll in the poorer, more arid regions of our planet. Climate related health issues are on the rise and large numbers of people are on the move. Many are climate refugees. The incidence of non-communicable diseases and mental health crises are increasing and many countries still have weak institutional infrastructures and depend on foreign aid. Other countries allow the perpetuation of inequitable and cruel agendas. Rapid urbanisation carries risks, as do the loss of ancient cultures and traditions and the ever present tensions in our societies.

But today there is room to be optimistic. Many countries have come a long way since I first started travelling in the 1980s. Places that were small, isolated villages are now bustling towns. And the advent of technology, AI, social media and other technologies are an opportunity for communities to become part of the global knowledge and economic society and to benefit from better housing, healthcare, education and financial inclusion. Particularly important for the poor, connected and sustainable agriculture can increase crop yields and improve global food security. Virtual and connected services delivery is easier and more cost effective and this is especially important for women who can now access services from the comfort of their own phone. In my nearly 40 years working in challenging environments, I have learned that the most important things are resilience and courage. Every year brings its crop of challenges, but we must be brave. We must make the most of the opportunities of our time, AI, gene editing and now a global awareness of the need for adopting climate change mitigation strategies.

Opportunities can carry risks, but handled cautiously, they also carry rewards that have the power to change the destiny of millions. You, the graduands, have had the great good fortune in studying in a country that values freedom, compassion, pluralism, equity, democracy, openness to others, education, generosity and a spirit of welcome. Keep these values in your hearts and in your actions throughout your lives as they will allow you to build a better world for all.

You will be presented opportunities which you may miss or you may grab by the horns. The trick is to keep looking, keep trying, be resilient and determined in everything that you do. Go out and be agents of change and agents for good in whatever fields you pick. Live an ethical life and when you have gained knowledge and experience, share those with others who need your help.

Thank you Concordia University and President Carr for being brilliant partners in the AKDN’s development agenda and for the honour bestowed upon me today. An honour that further strengthens my resolve to continue to do everything I possibly can towards building a more equitable world and a more just society that offers more opportunities for growth, dignity and hope for all.

Merci