The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) focuses on health, education, culture, rural development, institution-building and the promotion of economic development. It is dedicated to improving living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender.

The Network includes several bodies as Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS), Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), Aga Khan University (AKU), Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), The University of Central Asia (UCA), etc.

Within the AKDN, activities in the domain of health are carried out by the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS), The Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). AKHS delivers health services through over 200 health facilities, including nine hospitals. AKPBS installs water supply and sanitation systems and promotes the construction of safe and hygienic housing.

In the FSU region Aga Khan agencies has been involved mostly with the Central Asian countries. For instance, AKDN is building one of the three campuses of the University of Central Asia in Tekeli, Kazakhstan as part of one of Central Asia’s largest and most ambitious construction projects (three campuses – Tekeli, Naryn in Kyrgyz Republic and Dushanbe in Tajikistan, with a residential population of almost 4000 students, faculty and staff). The AKDN has also been working on development programmes in Kyrgyz Republic. Its rural development, health and education projects in Alai and Chon Alai districts of the Osh Oblast are implemented through the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP).

When the Aga Khan Foundation learned that many rural Kyrgyz children were missing out on kindergarten during the annual migration to the jailoo, or high pastures, it supported a programme to bring early childhood education to the mountains. The yurt kindergartens have since been replicated elsewhere. The programme even became one of 12 finalists for the BBC World Challenge award.

AKDN also works towards the vision of an economically dynamic, politically stable, intellectually vibrant, and culturally tolerant Tajikistan. This is achieved by supporting private sector and civil society. Operating in Tajikistan since 1992, AKDN draws on a strong base of experience in working with mountain societies. It works in all regions of the country and employs approximately 3,000 people through its operations and investments.