OTTAWA, Oct 27: The spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, Prince Karim Aga Khan, signed here a $40 million partnership agreement with the Canadian government to establish a global centre for pluralism in Ottawa.

The centre will promote pluralism as a means to advance good governance, peace and human development.

It will also support academic and professional development, provide advisory services, and support research and learning in developed and developing countries.

The agreement was signed by the Aga Khan and Canada’s Minister for Heritage and Status of Women, Beverly Oda. Under the agreement, the Canadian government will provide $30 million to the centre and $10 million will come from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

The Canadian government intends to sign an agreement that would see the centre located in a building that was the former home of the Canadian War Museum.

After the signing ceremony on Parliament Hill, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: We are honoured that Prince Aga Khan, the leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and one of the world’s best known philanthropists, has chosen Canada as the home of this institution.

The prime minister further said: Pluralism is the principle that binds our diverse people together. It is elemental to our civil society and economic strength.