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Rudyard Griffiths is the Executive Director of the Centre for Civic Engagement, as well as the director of the Munk Debates and the Grano Speakers Series. He is a co-founder of the Historica-Dominion Institute, and sits on numerous boards including the Canadian Institute for Citizenship. In 2008, he was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Canadian Forces College. He is the author of Who We Are: A Citizen's Manifesto, and the editor of numerous books on Canadian history, politics and international affairs. Mr.

Iain T. Benson is a member of the first Board of Directors of the Global Centre for Pluralism

Kofi A. Annan is a member of the first board of directors of the Global Centre for Pluralism, Canada

Newly-Appointed Directors Gather in Ottawa

OTTAWA, Oct 7 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of the Global Centre for Pluralism, Canada's new international research and education centre dedicated to the study and practice of pluralism worldwide gathered in Ottawa today for its inaugural two-day meeting .

His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network is in Ottawa on the occasion of the inaugural board meeting of the Global Centre for Pluralism. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada welcomed the Aga Khan in the Reception Room at Rideau Hall on Thursday, October 7, 2010, at 7 p.m.

October 7, 2010 - His Highness the Aga Khan is the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is in Ottawa on the occasion of the inaugural board meeting of the Global Centre for Pluralism.

The Global Centre for Pluralism is an initiative of His Highness the Aga Khan in partnership with the Government of Canada. The Centre will be located at 330 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, Canada. Dedicated to the creation of successful societies, the Centre is founded on the premise that tolerance, openness and understanding towards the cultures, social structures, values and faiths of other peoples are essential to the very survival of an interdependent world. Pluralism is no longer simply an asset or a prerequisite for progress and development. It is vital to our existence.

The Government of Canada today welcomed the decision by the Aga Khan Development Network to establish the Global Centre for Pluralism in Canada.'Canadian society provides a model to the world of how democracy, prosperity and security can flourish when founded on a culture of respect and diversity', said Prime Minister Paul Martin.

The Government of Canada today welcomed the decision by the Aga Khan Development Network to establish the Global Centre for Pluralism in Canada. The Government of Canada intends to contribute $30 million to the endowment set up by the Aga Khan Development Network for the establishment of the Centre. Located in Ottawa, the Global Centre for Pluralism will be a not-for-profit, non-governmental institution with a mission to promote pluralism as a fundamental human value and a foundation for good governance, peace and human development.

The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson is a member of the first Board of Directors of the Global Centre for Pluralism.