December 19, 2002	Thursday	Shawwal 14, 1423

ASTANA (Kazakhstan), Dec 18: The Aga Khan has acknowledged Kazakhstan’s vital and strategic role for the development of Central Asia. The Aga Khan, who was on a short visit to Astana, also received from President Nursultan Nazarbayev the State Award for Peace and Progress.

The award citation commended the Aga Khan for his “distinguished contribution to strengthening peace and friendship with mutual confidence amongst peoples and for vigorous activity aimed at the solution of humanitarian problems.”

“I firmly believe,” said the Aga Khan, “that peace will be possible only when the pluralistic nature of human society is recognized, seen as a source of strength rather than weakness, and used as a basis for the formulation of policies and structures at all levels of governance.”

He also expressed his gratitude for the recognition, and requested that the award be used to create scholarships at the University of Central Asia for Kazakh students with financial constraints, said a press release.

In a separate meeting, the Aga Khan briefed President Nazar-bayev on projects of the Aga Khan Development Network in the region.