The Aga Khan Foundation

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an Starting in 1990, AKF, along with a learning, behaviour and health of young agency of the Aga Khan Development consortium of international donors, began children from conception to eight years Network (AKDN), is a private, not-for- supporting BRAC’s rural development, of age. Through ECDSP-B, AKF and its profit, non-denominational, international non-formal primary education and ultra- partners have implemented parenting development agency established in 1967 poor programmes. Together, these BRAC programmes and established pre-schools, by His Highness the Aga Khan. Working programmes substantially improved early learning centres and daycare centres in 19 countries, with special emphasis the lives of more than eight million for working families. Over five years, the on the needs of rural communities in Bangladeshis over a period of 17 years. programme has reached nearly 29,000 mountainous, coastal and other resource- beneficiaries. In addition, the programme poor areas, AKF seeks to improve the In 2008, with the support of the Canadian also provides technical assistance to the quality of life of disadvantaged populations Department for Foreign Affairs, Trade Ministry of Primary and Mass Education in in South and Central Asia, Eastern and and Development (formerly CIDA), AKF the area of pre-primary education. Western Africa, and the Middle East. embarked upon a new programme, the Internationally, the Foundation works in the Early Childhood Development Support In addition to ECD, the Foundation also areas of health, education, early childhood Programme - Bangladesh (ECDSP-B). implemented a project with the Federation development, rural development, civil In partnership with 12 NGOs working in of NGOs in Bangladesh from 2009 to society strengthening, and the built Sylhet, Dhaka, Chittagong and Barisal, 2011, to provide training on governance environment. and BRAC University’s Institute of and financial management to 1,800 staff Educational Development, ECDSP-B has and board members from 560 small Established in 1980, AKF in Bangladesh improved local capacity to deliver quality grassroots NGOs from across the country. began its work in the health sector, ECD services to hard-to-reach families, implementing an urban community including those living in tea gardens, haor In the future, AKF expects to continue health programme and supporting the (seasonally flooded) areas, urban slums investing in ECD in Bangladesh, as well International Centre for Diarrhoeal and disaster-prone areas. as in strengthening local civil society Diseases Research, Bangladesh in organisations by building their capacity, successfully testing the first cereal-based ECD programmes are important because improving their accountability and oral rehydration therapies. they help to set the foundation for all future transparency, and increasing their local

AGA KHAN DEVELOPMENT NETWORK www.akdn.org Through ECDSP-B, AKF and its partners have implemented parenting programmes and established pre-schools, early learning centres and daycare centres for working families. Over five years, the programme has reached nearly 29,000 beneficiaries.

Development Partners resource base. It will also consider other which operates the Aga Khan School initiatives where it can play a clear value- Dhaka, established in 1988 and Canadian Department for Foreign Affairs, added role by bringing the considerable considered one of the leading English Trade and Development (DFATD, formerly CIDA) expertise of the larger Aga Khan medium schools in the country, offering Development Network to bear within the international quality education to more Bangladeshi context. than 1,200 students.

The AKDN is committed to enhancing AKF and AKDN substantially its investments in the AKF is part of the Aga Khan Development education sector in Bangladesh. These Network (AKDN), which has worked for include a new Aga Khan Academy, over three decades in Bangladesh in the to be located in Bashundara, Dhaka, fields of early childhood development, pre- encompassing world class facilities and tertiary education and financial services. international standard education as part of a global network of 18 Academies. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), a founding With the respect to culture, three shareholder in the Industrial Promotion Bangladeshi institutions received For further information and Development Company of the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh) Bangladesh Limited (IPDC), remains Architecture, in 1983, 1989 and 2007. PRIM Arcade (7th Floor), House 2, Road 2 an important catalyst for industrial Block J, Baridhara development in the country. In addition, On September 16, 2013, the People’s Dhaka 1212 HBL, majority-owned by AKFED, Republic of Bangladesh and the AKDN Bangladesh Phone: +88 02 8834320, +88 02 8834324, commenced operations in Bangladesh agreed to intensify cooperation on +88 02 8832990 in 1976. The HBL network now includes improving the quality of life of the people Fax: +88 02 8834356 seven branches in Bangladesh offering a of Bangladesh. A Protocol Agreement E-mail: [email protected] wide choice of innovative and convenient signed by His Highness the Aga Khan, Website: www.akdn.org commercial banking solutions to cater to founder and chairman of the Aga Khan the demands of its growing customer base Development Network, and the Foreign in Bangladesh. Minister, Dr Dipu Moni, in the presence of Cover photo: ECD programmes are Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, established important because they help to set the foundation for all future learning, behaviour In the area of education, AKF’s activities an enhanced framework for collaboration and health of young children from conception are complemented by those of the in the areas of social, cultural and to eight years of age. Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), economic development.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of private development agencies working to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in Africa and Asia. Its agencies work in over 30 countries for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion. Its underlying impulse is the ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society.