Our Ideas

Khalil Shareef, CEO of the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada spoke to a packed luncheon today in Vancouver. As the leader of one of Canada’s largest international development agencies, Shareef has traveled the world meeting people his organization has helped, and being briefed directly on the progress they’ve made.

During an incredibly inspiring speech, Shareef argued that “Peace is no longer the business of generals and politicians. It is the business of us all.” His suggestions that we all must consider the ramifications of our choices and actions, and that we are all affected by challenges economic, environmental and otherwise around the world were both cogent and inspiring.

Perhaps the most impressive of his numerous anecdotes was Shareef’s description of his favourite photograph from his recent trip to Afghanistan. Shot from directly above, it featured a sapling of an almond tree, struggling up from a crack in the sun-scorched earth. Noting that almond trees take four years to bear fruit, Shareef explained that In Afghanistan, once one of the world’s greatest exporters of nuts and fruit, farmers have refused for a generation to plant almond trees. They simply haven’t believed they’d be around long enough to enjoy the benefits of their investment. In a country ravaged by war, drought and the consequential poverty, this has been the heartbreaking reality for an entire generation.

On this trip, however, Shareef witnessed farmers setting land aside for almond trees. I felt compelled to share with you this remarkable symbol of progress and hope. Inspiration can have its roots anywhere. Even, or perhaps especially, half a world away, in the ravaged, arid land of Afghanistan.