Introduction
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) focuses on the physical, social, cultural and economic revitalisation of communities in the Muslim world. It includes the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia, the on-line resource ArchNet.org and the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Museums & Exhibitions unit coordinates the development of a number of museum and exhibition projects.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has been active in Zanzibar since 1989, successfully completing the restoration of 11 landmark buildings (many of them on the point of collapse), upgrading housing and rehabilitating public spaces, notably Kelele Square and Forodhani Park. Inspired by His Highness the Aga Khan’s commitment to the preservation of historic cities in the Muslim world, AKTC has been working to prove cultural heritage can become a catalyst for positive change. More
History
Baltit Fort, Northern Pakistan, restored by the Aga Khan Historic Cities ProgrammeThe Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which was founded in 1988, is registered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a private, non-denominational, philanthropic foundation. It is an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of institutions created by His Highness The Aga Khan, with distinct yet complementary mandates to improve the welfare and prospects of people in countries in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Though their spheres of activity and expertise differ - ranging from social development, to economic development, to culture - AKDN institutions share at least three principles that guide their work. The first is a dedication to self-sustaining development that can contribute to long-term economic advancement and social harmony. The second is a commitment to the vigorous participation of local communities in all development efforts. Finally, all Network institutions seek shared responsibility for positive change. They actively work to facilitate collaborative ventures, seeking potential partners - from universities and governments, to foundations and international development agencies, to individual and corporate donors or investors - on the basis of shared objectives and the complementarity of resources.
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