The Idea of the Silk Road: Historians Debate and Discuss this Modern Concept
with Dr Arezou Azad, Dr Aslisho Qurboniev, Khodadad Rezakhani, Dr Zhan Zhang and Prof Sarah Bowen Savant
7 July 2021 | 12pm BST | Online
REGISTER
https://aku-edu.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... 25c8c5fc8d
Among idealised models of premodern connectivities few can compete with the appeal of the Silk Road and the way it projects modern notions of open trade and cultural exchange, religious and racial tolerance, and dialogue onto the past.
While invented barely 150 years ago, the Silk Road is now probably the most famous and most frequently cited road as a quick Google search will confirm. From China and Central Asia to the US, governments and organisations evoke the Silk Road as a metaphor for open cooperation and commerce. The appeal is equally strong among artists, organisations, the general public and even historians.
The panel brings together several historians to critically assess the idea of the Silk Road, its genesis, popularisation and modern appeal, and the potential pitfalls of historical inaccuracies that the term may perpetuate.
Khodadad Rezakhani will discuss the use and abuse of the term in the field of world history and how the term reinforces eurocentric historiography. Revisiting the coining of the term (die Seidenstrasse) in 1877 by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen, Arezou Azad will discuss what we actually know about trade and commerce in Central Asia in antiquity, and how the idea enables modern economic, cultural, and infrastructure projects to integrate the region. Zhan Zhang will draw attention to the reinvention of the Silk Road in China from the late twentieth century onwards. Finally, Aslisho Qurboniev will discuss the reception of the idea of the Silk Road in Central Asia, a region that is central to the idea, from the 19th century to the Soviet and post-Soviet period.
We hope you can join us.
AGA KHAN FOUNDATION UK
Travelling the Silk Road
A practical guide
with Jonny Bealby, Marc Leaderman, Caroline Eden and Christopher Wilton-Steer
4 August 2021 | 6 - 7:30pm BST | Online
REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... 25c8c5fc8d
Have you ever dreamed of travelling along the Silk Road, of visiting the architectural wonders of Iran, shopping in the ancient bazaars of Uzbekistan, traversing the Pamir mountains of Central Asia or tasting the culinary delights of Western China but weren’t sure how to start planning such a trip?
Then please join us for this talk by four seasoned Silk Road travellers who will share their varied experiences of journeying along the world’s most celebrated trade route.
The panellists will discuss how to travel the Silk Road, when to go, the challenges of travelling independently, what’s it like to travel as a woman, how to give back to the communities encountered along the way, what’s it like if you are a vegetarian and much more.
We hope you can join us.
A practical guide
with Jonny Bealby, Marc Leaderman, Caroline Eden and Christopher Wilton-Steer
4 August 2021 | 6 - 7:30pm BST | Online
REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... 25c8c5fc8d
Have you ever dreamed of travelling along the Silk Road, of visiting the architectural wonders of Iran, shopping in the ancient bazaars of Uzbekistan, traversing the Pamir mountains of Central Asia or tasting the culinary delights of Western China but weren’t sure how to start planning such a trip?
Then please join us for this talk by four seasoned Silk Road travellers who will share their varied experiences of journeying along the world’s most celebrated trade route.
The panellists will discuss how to travel the Silk Road, when to go, the challenges of travelling independently, what’s it like to travel as a woman, how to give back to the communities encountered along the way, what’s it like if you are a vegetarian and much more.
We hope you can join us.
Launch of a new global report
10 key priorities for delivering girls' education in fragile contexts
26 July 2021 | 3:00 - 4:30pm BST | Online
Join AKF and other key stakeholders in girls’ education for the launch of a new report, Delivering girls’ education where the risks are high: Key priorities for programming in fragile contexts.
The report collates successes and learnings shared by over 200 representatives from international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), local NGOs, researchers, funders, and policy makers who participated in the Aga Khan Foundation's virtual conference in March 2021.
At the conference, participants came together to reflect on and deepen the sector’s understanding of opportunities and challenges of ‘Girls’ Education in Fragile Contexts’. Through the conference, world experts in girls’ education explored pathways and priorities for the future of girls’ education in fragile contexts.
This Position Paper summarises insights from these critical conversations. The paper includes inputs from the UK's FCDO, USAID, Aga Khan Foundation, Save the Children, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, the Regional Education Learning Initiative, and more civil society and non-governmental organisations that reflect updated recommendations about what is important when considering future directions for girls’ education in fragile contexts.
Speakers will discuss the 10 key priorities and invite key stakeholders to reflect and showcase why these priorities are important for their respective contexts and programmes.
REGISTER HERE https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... 25c8c5fc8d
This event is part of the Global Education Summit 2021
Full agenda for 26 July 2021 - Girls' Education Day
12:00 - 13:30
FCDO Girls' Education Challenge Overview of the 'Girls' Education Day' Register
13:30 - 15:00
Leave no one behind: Financing inclusive education for girls and children with disabilities - ActionAid/ANCEFA Register
Facilitating access to quality education for girls in Nepal and Nigeria - Mercy Corps Register
Education and safety: Listening to what 'Build Back Better' means for girls - World Vision Register
A multi-stakeholder approach in educating girls in vulnerable situations - FAWE/PLAN/SAT Register
15:00 - 16:30
Launch of a new global report: 10 key priorities for delivering girls' education in fragile contexts - Aga Khan Foundation & STAGES partners Register
Gender transformative education: The key to achieving a more just and inclusive world - UNICEF/UNGEI/PLAN Register
16:30 - 18:00
Transforming social norms to end child marriage and advance girls' education - UNGEI/Girls not brides Register
Getting girls into and back to school - Commonwealth of Learning Register
Gender-responsive and disability-inclusive education for all - Leonard Cheshire Register
18:00 - 19:30
FCDO Girls’ Education Challenge overview of ‘Girls’ Education Day’ (recording for North American time zones) Register
10 key priorities for delivering girls' education in fragile contexts
26 July 2021 | 3:00 - 4:30pm BST | Online
Join AKF and other key stakeholders in girls’ education for the launch of a new report, Delivering girls’ education where the risks are high: Key priorities for programming in fragile contexts.
The report collates successes and learnings shared by over 200 representatives from international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), local NGOs, researchers, funders, and policy makers who participated in the Aga Khan Foundation's virtual conference in March 2021.
At the conference, participants came together to reflect on and deepen the sector’s understanding of opportunities and challenges of ‘Girls’ Education in Fragile Contexts’. Through the conference, world experts in girls’ education explored pathways and priorities for the future of girls’ education in fragile contexts.
This Position Paper summarises insights from these critical conversations. The paper includes inputs from the UK's FCDO, USAID, Aga Khan Foundation, Save the Children, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, the Regional Education Learning Initiative, and more civil society and non-governmental organisations that reflect updated recommendations about what is important when considering future directions for girls’ education in fragile contexts.
Speakers will discuss the 10 key priorities and invite key stakeholders to reflect and showcase why these priorities are important for their respective contexts and programmes.
REGISTER HERE https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... 25c8c5fc8d
This event is part of the Global Education Summit 2021
Full agenda for 26 July 2021 - Girls' Education Day
12:00 - 13:30
FCDO Girls' Education Challenge Overview of the 'Girls' Education Day' Register
13:30 - 15:00
Leave no one behind: Financing inclusive education for girls and children with disabilities - ActionAid/ANCEFA Register
Facilitating access to quality education for girls in Nepal and Nigeria - Mercy Corps Register
Education and safety: Listening to what 'Build Back Better' means for girls - World Vision Register
A multi-stakeholder approach in educating girls in vulnerable situations - FAWE/PLAN/SAT Register
15:00 - 16:30
Launch of a new global report: 10 key priorities for delivering girls' education in fragile contexts - Aga Khan Foundation & STAGES partners Register
Gender transformative education: The key to achieving a more just and inclusive world - UNICEF/UNGEI/PLAN Register
16:30 - 18:00
Transforming social norms to end child marriage and advance girls' education - UNGEI/Girls not brides Register
Getting girls into and back to school - Commonwealth of Learning Register
Gender-responsive and disability-inclusive education for all - Leonard Cheshire Register
18:00 - 19:30
FCDO Girls’ Education Challenge overview of ‘Girls’ Education Day’ (recording for North American time zones) Register
Why Human-Centred Design (HCD) is important for achieving SDG4 – the global launch of the Schools2030 HCD Toolkit
26 July 2021 | 2pm BST | Online
Schools2030 is delighted to launch the free, open-source HCD Toolkit, which aims to equip educators across 1000 schools with foundational design skills and tools to amplify their work and improve the holistic learning outcomes of students.
Join us at the Global Partnership for Education Summit where we will celebrate the worldwide launch of the Schools2030 HCD Toolkit with a short documentary feature which will go live on Monday 26th July at 2pm BST.
REGISTER TO ATTEND SUMMIT
Travelling the Silk Road - a practical guide
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PKxJZV8LGM
Have you ever dreamed of travelling along the Silk Road, of visiting the architectural wonders of Iran, shopping in the ancient bazaars of Uzbekistan, traversing the Pamir mountains of Central Asia or tasting the culinary delights of Western China but weren’t sure how to start planning such a trip?
Then tune into this talk by four seasoned Silk Road travellers who will share their varied experiences of journeying along the world’s most celebrated trade route.
The panellists discuss how to travel the Silk Road, when to go, the challenges of travelling independently, what’s it like to travel as a woman, how to give back to the communities encountered along the way, what’s it like if you are a vegetarian and much more.
This talk is part of ‘The Silk Road: A Living History’ series of talks. Learn more at: www.silkroad-livnghistory.org.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PKxJZV8LGM
Have you ever dreamed of travelling along the Silk Road, of visiting the architectural wonders of Iran, shopping in the ancient bazaars of Uzbekistan, traversing the Pamir mountains of Central Asia or tasting the culinary delights of Western China but weren’t sure how to start planning such a trip?
Then tune into this talk by four seasoned Silk Road travellers who will share their varied experiences of journeying along the world’s most celebrated trade route.
The panellists discuss how to travel the Silk Road, when to go, the challenges of travelling independently, what’s it like to travel as a woman, how to give back to the communities encountered along the way, what’s it like if you are a vegetarian and much more.
This talk is part of ‘The Silk Road: A Living History’ series of talks. Learn more at: www.silkroad-livnghistory.org.
AKF & community based tourism on the Silk Road
As part of its economic inclusion work, the Aga Khan Foundation promotes sustainable tourism that helps create jobs (especially for women) and protects cultural heritage and nature resources. Several of the organisations AKF has helped establish to do this were mentioned in the talk. You can visit their websites here:
https://www.visitpamirs.com/?mc_cid=ced ... 25c8c5fc8d
http://www.wakhan-adventure.com/?mc_cid ... 25c8c5fc8d
https://cbtkyrgyzstan.kg/?mc_cid=ced94c ... 25c8c5fc8d
As part of its economic inclusion work, the Aga Khan Foundation promotes sustainable tourism that helps create jobs (especially for women) and protects cultural heritage and nature resources. Several of the organisations AKF has helped establish to do this were mentioned in the talk. You can visit their websites here:
https://www.visitpamirs.com/?mc_cid=ced ... 25c8c5fc8d
http://www.wakhan-adventure.com/?mc_cid ... 25c8c5fc8d
https://cbtkyrgyzstan.kg/?mc_cid=ced94c ... 25c8c5fc8d
From London to Beijing on the old Silk Road – a photo essay
Taken on a 25,000-mile trip across 16 countries, these images capture cities, landscapes and people along the trading route – and the pre-Covid freedom of cross-border travel
by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Article with photos at:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021 ... 25c8c5fc8d
Taken on a 25,000-mile trip across 16 countries, these images capture cities, landscapes and people along the trading route – and the pre-Covid freedom of cross-border travel
by Christopher Wilton-Steer
Article with photos at:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021 ... 25c8c5fc8d
Season's Greatings
Dear friends of the Aga Khan Foundation UK,
In the second year of the pandemic, 2021 has been challenging in all our programme geographies. But although there has been continued instability and uncertainty for so many of the people we serve, 2021 has also featured many inspiring moments of strong solidarity in committed communities, offering help and hope. Throughout, the Aga Khan Foundation has remained steadfast in supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
As the year draws to a close, I would like to thank all of our supporters for helping us at AKF (UK) continue our mission to promote pluralism, enhance civil society, and improve the quality of life.
This year, AKF and the agencies of the broader Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have redoubled our efforts to respond to the pandemic by continuing to slow and stop the spread of the virus; provide optimal care for patients; and minimise the impact on communities around the world.
Despite travel curbs and lockdowns, AKF (UK) was able stay connected with our partners and supporters through several conferences and events. In March, we hosted a virtual global conference, Girls’ Education in Fragile Contexts, inviting more than 200 world experts to discuss this vital issue. Throughout the spring and summer months, we staged a largescale photography exhibition outdoors, The Silk Road: A Living History, in London’s King’s Cross. At a time of limited international travel, the exhibition offered the opportunity to explore the diverse cultures, traditions and landscapes of this historic trade route, and learn about AKF’s work to support the communities that live along it.
We were also delighted to support a number of partner events, including CogX, the Salzburg Seminar and the Earthshot Prize which announced its first set of winning environmental initiatives this year. All the nominees provide practical solutions that can make a difference at scale, as the impacts of climate change increasingly take hold across our planet.
In light of the evolving humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Michael Kocher, AKF’s General Manager, attended the United Nation’s High-level Ministerial Meeting to urge the international community to not give up on the country and its people. We have been gratified by the support of our partners which, despite very challenging conditions, has enabled us to continue providing critical humanitarian aid. AKDN has been working with communities in Afghanistan for more than three decades – assistance is needed now more than ever, and we are firmly committed to delivering it.
This year, you and your support have helped AKF demonstrate the progress people can achieve together. As we look forward, we take that lesson of hope and determination into 2022 and beyond. Thank you.
Wishing you a restful break and a Happy New Year from everyone at the Aga Khan Foundation (United Kingdom).
Matt T. Reed
Chief Executive Officer
Aga Khan Foundation UK
The year in pictures
January
As part of a wider programme to provide support to unpaid carers – including young parents – we kicked off the year with a new partnership with Oxfam, together establishing five new Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Khatlon province in Tajikistan. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/akf-and-oxfam-es ... 25c8c5fc8d
February
Together with the European Union, AKF, the Aga Khan Health Services and the Aga Khan University signed a €9m partnership to combat COVID-19 in East Africa. By focusing on strengthening responses to the health, social and economic challenges, we are working to minimise the impact of the crisis on the young and vulnerable. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/akdn-and-eu-sign ... 25c8c5fc8d
March
We welcomed over 200 people to a global conference dedicated to advancing girls’ education in fragile contexts. Brought together over two days, participants featured government ministers, international institutions, foundations, academics, international NGOs, and local organisations to share insights, challenges and lessons learned implementing large-scale education programmes in high-risk environments. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/learning-against ... 25c8c5fc8d
April
Amongst the hustle and bustle of King’s Cross, we invited passers-by to take a journey from London to Beijing via our exhibition, The Silk Road: A Living History. AKF has been active in countries along the Silk Road for decades, so the exhibition aimed to highlight our work, as well as to celebrate the diversity found along this route and reveal connections between its different cultures. Learn more https://silkroad-livinghistory.org/exhi ... 25c8c5fc8d
May
Our flagship education programme, Schools2030, deployed its Human-Centred Design (HCD) Toolkit in ten countries around the world ahead of its official global launch in July. The toolkit aims to guide schools and educators to design their own education solutions to help their students achieve their full potential. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/how-schools-will ... 25c8c5fc8d
June
To complement The Silk Road exhibition, we hosted The Silk Road Bazaar in London’s Canopy Market, welcoming artisan vendors to sell goods from the countries along the historic trade route. Stalls featured an array of delights, from ottoman-inspired silks from Turkey and handmade jewellery from Pakistan to leather accessories from Egypt and colourful Uzbek hats. Read more https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/e ... 25c8c5fc8d
July
Following the conference in March, we launched a new global report on girls’ education programming in fragile contexts, collating the successes and learnings shared by the 200 participants who attended. Featuring inputs from world experts, the report explores pathways for helping girls to learn better, live better, and thrive. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/report-launch-10 ... 25c8c5fc8d
August
We joined forces with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat to launch a new programme aimed at strengthening resilience of communities facing environmental and health-related emergencies in northern Pakistan. Supported by the European Union, the programme will reach 74,000 people. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/supporting-disas ... 25c8c5fc8d
September
AKF's General Manager Michael Kocher spoke at the UN’s High-level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan. Urging the international community not to abandon the country and its people, he said, “Now is the time to be present, remain in dialogue and work together with communities towards peace, cohesion, opportunity and prosperity”. Watch now https://www.akdn.org/video/michael-koch ... 25c8c5fc8d
October
The Earthshot Prize announced its five winning environmental initiatives that are creating new pathways to help repair our planet and improve quality of life for all. AKDN is proud to be one of the nine Global Alliance Founding Partners of the prize. Learn more https://earthshotprize.org/first-ever-w ... 25c8c5fc8d
November
To celebrate International Day of Tolerance, we shared a 30-second video, encouraging others to reflect on the importance of pluralism and diversity in strengthening society. The video features 100 portraits of some of the people we work with across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Watch now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1lTSOTWjsw
December
This year marked 15 years of our Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP) in Kyrgyzstan. Through MSDSP, we take a holistic approach across all our areas of work to support rural and vulnerable mountain communities in Kyrgyzstan’s remote ranges. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/world-mountain-d ... 25c8c5fc8d
Dear friends of the Aga Khan Foundation UK,
In the second year of the pandemic, 2021 has been challenging in all our programme geographies. But although there has been continued instability and uncertainty for so many of the people we serve, 2021 has also featured many inspiring moments of strong solidarity in committed communities, offering help and hope. Throughout, the Aga Khan Foundation has remained steadfast in supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
As the year draws to a close, I would like to thank all of our supporters for helping us at AKF (UK) continue our mission to promote pluralism, enhance civil society, and improve the quality of life.
This year, AKF and the agencies of the broader Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have redoubled our efforts to respond to the pandemic by continuing to slow and stop the spread of the virus; provide optimal care for patients; and minimise the impact on communities around the world.
Despite travel curbs and lockdowns, AKF (UK) was able stay connected with our partners and supporters through several conferences and events. In March, we hosted a virtual global conference, Girls’ Education in Fragile Contexts, inviting more than 200 world experts to discuss this vital issue. Throughout the spring and summer months, we staged a largescale photography exhibition outdoors, The Silk Road: A Living History, in London’s King’s Cross. At a time of limited international travel, the exhibition offered the opportunity to explore the diverse cultures, traditions and landscapes of this historic trade route, and learn about AKF’s work to support the communities that live along it.
We were also delighted to support a number of partner events, including CogX, the Salzburg Seminar and the Earthshot Prize which announced its first set of winning environmental initiatives this year. All the nominees provide practical solutions that can make a difference at scale, as the impacts of climate change increasingly take hold across our planet.
In light of the evolving humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Michael Kocher, AKF’s General Manager, attended the United Nation’s High-level Ministerial Meeting to urge the international community to not give up on the country and its people. We have been gratified by the support of our partners which, despite very challenging conditions, has enabled us to continue providing critical humanitarian aid. AKDN has been working with communities in Afghanistan for more than three decades – assistance is needed now more than ever, and we are firmly committed to delivering it.
This year, you and your support have helped AKF demonstrate the progress people can achieve together. As we look forward, we take that lesson of hope and determination into 2022 and beyond. Thank you.
Wishing you a restful break and a Happy New Year from everyone at the Aga Khan Foundation (United Kingdom).
Matt T. Reed
Chief Executive Officer
Aga Khan Foundation UK
The year in pictures
January
As part of a wider programme to provide support to unpaid carers – including young parents – we kicked off the year with a new partnership with Oxfam, together establishing five new Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Khatlon province in Tajikistan. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/akf-and-oxfam-es ... 25c8c5fc8d
February
Together with the European Union, AKF, the Aga Khan Health Services and the Aga Khan University signed a €9m partnership to combat COVID-19 in East Africa. By focusing on strengthening responses to the health, social and economic challenges, we are working to minimise the impact of the crisis on the young and vulnerable. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/akdn-and-eu-sign ... 25c8c5fc8d
March
We welcomed over 200 people to a global conference dedicated to advancing girls’ education in fragile contexts. Brought together over two days, participants featured government ministers, international institutions, foundations, academics, international NGOs, and local organisations to share insights, challenges and lessons learned implementing large-scale education programmes in high-risk environments. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/learning-against ... 25c8c5fc8d
April
Amongst the hustle and bustle of King’s Cross, we invited passers-by to take a journey from London to Beijing via our exhibition, The Silk Road: A Living History. AKF has been active in countries along the Silk Road for decades, so the exhibition aimed to highlight our work, as well as to celebrate the diversity found along this route and reveal connections between its different cultures. Learn more https://silkroad-livinghistory.org/exhi ... 25c8c5fc8d
May
Our flagship education programme, Schools2030, deployed its Human-Centred Design (HCD) Toolkit in ten countries around the world ahead of its official global launch in July. The toolkit aims to guide schools and educators to design their own education solutions to help their students achieve their full potential. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/how-schools-will ... 25c8c5fc8d
June
To complement The Silk Road exhibition, we hosted The Silk Road Bazaar in London’s Canopy Market, welcoming artisan vendors to sell goods from the countries along the historic trade route. Stalls featured an array of delights, from ottoman-inspired silks from Turkey and handmade jewellery from Pakistan to leather accessories from Egypt and colourful Uzbek hats. Read more https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/e ... 25c8c5fc8d
July
Following the conference in March, we launched a new global report on girls’ education programming in fragile contexts, collating the successes and learnings shared by the 200 participants who attended. Featuring inputs from world experts, the report explores pathways for helping girls to learn better, live better, and thrive. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/report-launch-10 ... 25c8c5fc8d
August
We joined forces with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat to launch a new programme aimed at strengthening resilience of communities facing environmental and health-related emergencies in northern Pakistan. Supported by the European Union, the programme will reach 74,000 people. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/supporting-disas ... 25c8c5fc8d
September
AKF's General Manager Michael Kocher spoke at the UN’s High-level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan. Urging the international community not to abandon the country and its people, he said, “Now is the time to be present, remain in dialogue and work together with communities towards peace, cohesion, opportunity and prosperity”. Watch now https://www.akdn.org/video/michael-koch ... 25c8c5fc8d
October
The Earthshot Prize announced its five winning environmental initiatives that are creating new pathways to help repair our planet and improve quality of life for all. AKDN is proud to be one of the nine Global Alliance Founding Partners of the prize. Learn more https://earthshotprize.org/first-ever-w ... 25c8c5fc8d
November
To celebrate International Day of Tolerance, we shared a 30-second video, encouraging others to reflect on the importance of pluralism and diversity in strengthening society. The video features 100 portraits of some of the people we work with across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Watch now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1lTSOTWjsw
December
This year marked 15 years of our Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP) in Kyrgyzstan. Through MSDSP, we take a holistic approach across all our areas of work to support rural and vulnerable mountain communities in Kyrgyzstan’s remote ranges. Read more https://www.akf.org.uk/world-mountain-d ... 25c8c5fc8d