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Summerschool on Pluralism & Development nominated for Global Pluralism Award


16 June 2018

The annual Summer School on Pluralism & Development, organised by the University of Humanistic Studies, in cooperation with Hivos, and university departments and civil society based organizations from India, Indonesia, Uganda and South Africa, has been nominated for the Global Pluralism Award 2019. The Award celebrates achievement and excellence in the field of pluralism, and is a program of the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, Canada.


The Summer School on Pluralism and Development was annually organised from 2004 until 2016 and involved a 4 week full time program of lectures, excursions and seminars focussing for participants from different countries. The program focused on


  • Critical analysis of (1) key concepts in development theories and their normative and empowering impact, (2) human rights, its basic values and justifications and a reflection on the claims of the universality of human rights versus human rights as a western invention and (3) key issues in social theory and cultural studies with regard to civil society building and democratic empowerment;
  • Exploration of concrete civil society practices from perspectives of human and sustainable development;
  • Theories and practices of pluralism in diverse societies;
  • Reflection on methods and strategies which are used by civil society based organisations in the promotion of pluralism, such as educational practices, dialogue, personal and social empowerment and civil society based community action programs;
  • Philosophical and ethical discussions on the basic values of cosmopolitan ethics, e.g. theories of global civil society building and democratic participation, sustainable development and global social justice. 

The Global Pluralism Award is presented once every two years to individuals, organizations, governments and businesses of any nationality. Through their remarkable and sustained achievements, awardees contribute to building more inclusive societies in which human diversity is protected. The Global Pluralism Award jury is comprised of international experts from various disciplines related to pluralism. Jurors have championed the values upon which the Award is founded: respect for human diversity and promotion of more inclusive societies. Chair is The Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, Former Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada.


The  Global Centre for Pluralism in Canada is a non-profit organization founded by His Highness the Aga Khan in partnership with the Government of Canada dedicated to advancing positive responses to the challenge of living peacefully and productively together in diverse societies.

The annual Summer School on Pluralism & Development, organised by the University of Humanistic Studies, in cooperation with Hivos and university departments and civil society based organizations from India, Indonesia, Uganda and South Africa, has been nominated for the Global Pluralism Award 2019. The Award celebrates achievement and excellence in the field of pluralism, and is a program of the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, Canada.