The Institute for Canadian Citizenship has announced that His Highness the Aga Khan will receive the inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship in Toronto today evening, according to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

The awarding of the Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship will culminate the 6 Degrees Citizen Space 2016 conference presented by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

The Aga Khan is head of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and in 2010 was made an honorary Canadian citizen.

He also funded the development of the Aga Khan Museum, which is situated in the Don Mills Road and Wynford Drive area of North York.

InsideToronto.com reports that in a release, Clarkson, who will present the Aga Khan with the award, said “through his words, through his actions, and through the results obtained by the institutions that he has pioneered, he is a beacon of light in much of the world’s conflicting darkness.”

“We are pleased to announce that His Highness the Aga Khan is the first recipient of this globally relevant prize.  The 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, His Highness has dedicated his life’s work to improving living conditions for the world’s most vulnerable populations, and to fostering an understanding of the importance of pluralism to global harmony.  The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), founded and chaired by His Highness, is active in 30 countries and employs over 80,000 people.  Its non-denominational agencies work in areas ranging from health and education to rural development, architecture, culture, economic sustainability and strengthening civil society,” according to a release.

The awarding of the Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship will culminate the 6 Degrees Citizen Space 2016 conference presented by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC).  The Institute seeks to accelerate the acculturation of new citizens into Canadian life so they can participate fully and add their important voice to Canada's pluralistic society.

The annual award recognizes a leader whose life has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the ideals of belonging and inclusion. Through their words, actions and results, a recipient will have encouraged thought and dialogue, approaches and strategies that strive to remove barriers, change attitudes, and reinforce the principles of tolerance and respect.

Adrienne Louise Clarkson (born February 10, 1939) is a Hong Kong-born Canadian journalist, politician, and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation.