Building bridges
I recently attended the official Ottawa launch of Bridges that Unite at the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
The travelling exhibit explores Canada’s role in the world through the lens of a 25-year collaboration between Canada and the Aga Khan Development Network.
Two words sum up the exhibition and accompanying address by Aga Khan Foundation CEO, Khalil Z. Shariff:
Truly inspiring.
According to the Aga Khan Foundation, Bridges that Unite challenges visitors to confront typical assumptions about what international development is and what it can achieve.
Mr. Shariff talked about how small community organizations have been catalysts for social change. He encouraged us to consider and rethink notions of international development. To become solutions to global problems, starting at a grassroots level.
In his address, Mr. Shariff described Bridges that Unite as an opportunity for people to come together as communities, to debate and discuss and explore and collaborate:
Together, these are the ingredients for a rejuvenated leadership for Canada in the world, one that we can all be proud of and I’m hoping that the last 25 years, that past is only prologue and that our children’s children will look back at our generation and say, “That was a Canada that led—that was a Canada that took its ideas and ideals and changed the world.”
What Mr. Shariff speaks of dovetails with the outcomes of an Elmwood education: inquiring lifelong learners, engaged global citizens and confident caring leaders. To these ends, our Grade 8 Humanities classes will visit Bridges that Unite on Friday, January 29 and will engage in dialogue on global issues and quality of life around the world.
If you are looking for a thought-provoking, interactive and inspiring experience, I encourage you to visit the exhibition as well. It’s on display from January 28 – February 28 at the Canada and Science Technology Museum here in Ottawa.
