Aga Khan Development Network

The Aga Khan Development Network ( AKDN ) is an Islamic aid organization and one of the largest non-governmental organizations. It was founded by Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Nizari. Focuses on health, education and culture, and rural and economic development with a focus on South and Central Asia and East Africa. According to the company, the organization works without regard to faith, origin and gender.

The AKDN is financed by funds from the Aga Khan Foundation, to which the members of the Nizari Ismailis bring - tenth of their income.

In September 2004, a partnership agreement was signed Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) between BMZ and the AKDN. The Federal Government supports projects of the AKDN in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, and the Middle East. In questions of cultural preservation, the Foreign Office and the Aga Khan Foundation to work in the reconstruction of Babur garden in Kabul, Afghanistan, closely.

Every three years, gives the AKDN Aga Khan Award for Architecture, one of the most important architectural awards.

The AKDN is the umbrella organization for a group of different organizations and institutions:

• Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance ( AKAM )
• Aga Khan Foundation ( AKF )
• Aga Khan Education Services ( AKES )
• 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)
• University of Central Asia ( UCA)