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About the World Partnership Walk
About Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC)
The World Partnership Walk is Canada's largest fundraising event to help end global poverty.
How did the World Partnership Walk first get started?
"RAIN OR SHINE, WALK WITH YOUR FAMILY, BRING YOUR LUNCH."
With that simple refrain, the World Partnership Walk took its first strides in 1985, thanks to the verve of a group of volunteers from Vancouver's Ismaili Women's Organization Committee. Driven by a desire to give back to the impoverished countries they had grown up in, the group persuaded nearly 1,000 walkers to don their sneakers for the fight against global poverty and raised $55,000.
The passion and commitment of these founding members lives on through the thousands of volunteers in ten cities across Canada who work tirelessly to mobilize their communities.
By participating in the World Partnership Walk you can help AKFC continue its commitment to dozens of poor communities in Asia and Africa where simple, yet innovative, initiatives are targeting basic needs while empowering citizens. The World Partnership Walk is the only national, grassroots event that allows you to contribute directly to programs that give poor communities a chance to become self-sufficient.
Since its inception, the World Partnership Walk has raised more than $60 million across Canada. In 2010 alone, close to 40,000 participants helped to raise more than $6 million.
Thanks to the funds raised by the Walk, millions of people in Africa and Asia have benefited directly from programs supported by Aga Khan Foundation Canada. AKFC currently funds more than 30 development initiatives in a dozen countries. These programs have received positive evaluations from the Canadian government and other organizations for their effectiveness and lasting impact.
Where does my contribution go?
Every dollar raised - 100% - goes directly to international development initiatives in more than a dozen developing countries around the world. Not one cent of your money is spent on administration. Those costs are financed from separate sources. Funds raised by the Walk also help AKFC to leverage additional support from major donors like the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Getting involved with World Partnership Walk is easy! You can participate as an individual or as part of a team.
Create or Join a Team
Creating a team is a great way to get friends, family and co-workers together for a day of fun in support of a meaningful cause. Teams are the fastest growing segment of the Walk because they're a fun and effective way to raise awareness and funds with your friends and family, your school, University or College, or your colleagues at work. Learn more about creating or joining a team.
Register to Walk
REGISTER and join thousands of Canadians in raising funds and walking.
Sponsor a Participant
Donate online to support a friend, family member or colleague participating in the walk. You can still make a general donation in support of the World Partnership Walk
Involve Your Company
Supporting the Walk offers your company a wide range of opportunities to raise your company's profile in your community and across the country. You’ll join hundreds of other organizations from a wide variety of sectors and industries, and show your company's commitment to alleviating global poverty. Learn more about involving your company.
Come out and Walk the Walk!
Every year, thousands of Canadians come together on Walk Day to share their commitment to making the world a better place. Lace up your walking shoes and bring out your friends to the Walk. Find out about the Walk in your city.
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About Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC)
What is AKFC?
Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) is a non-profit international agency that supports social development programs in Asia and Africa. AKFC is a registered Canadian charity (Charitable number: 10007 2586 RR0001) that is governed by a National Committee. The Foundation operates on the principle that effective social and economic progress is based on partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations. As an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKFC works to address the root causes of poverty: finding and sharing effective and lasting solutions that help improve the quality of life for poor communities. Our programs focus on four core areas: health, education, rural development and building the capacity of non-governmental organizations. Gender equity and protecting the environment are integrated into every program.
The countries where we currently operate include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Syria, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mali and Uganda. These are countries where we have experience and expertise. The Aga Khan Development Network has been active in some of these countries for more than 100 years. The Foundation is able to utilize the resources of other member institutions and community organizations that have a proven track record in Africa and Asia. Local staff and volunteers help monitor progress and ensure that resources are used effectively. In this way even small programs can have an immense impact.
How does AKFC help communities overcome poverty?
A common objective of all programs supported by AKFC is to help people to take charge of their own lives. AKFC's programs encourage community participation and, ultimately, self-sufficiency. Funds donated through the World Partnership Walk help support programs in four important areas: health, education, rural development and strengthening community organizations. These programs are designed to tap the initiative, entrepreneurship, resources and energy of poor communities in order to help them enhance their livelihoods. In all of our programs we pay special attention to the impact development initiatives have on the environment, as well as the status of women.
Every project supported by AKFC is implemented by partners with a proven track record of accountability and effectiveness. In addition, AKFC has an "on-the-ground" presence in developing countries through highly qualified local staff members who ensure that resources are used appropriately. Canadian staff members also visit projects to assess the progress being made to draw out and share best practices and recommend improvements to maximize a project's value.
In addition, the Foundation asks external organizations such as the World Bank and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to evaluate its projects, and such reports are regularly published. Evaluators commissioned by CIDA have concluded that AKFC's "stewardship and utilization of donor funds is impeccable."
The Foundation and the Canadian government, primarily through CIDA, have enjoyed a close working relationship for more than a quarter century. CIDA provides funding for a number of programs that the Foundation supports in developing countries.
In addition to supporting projects overseas, AKFC runs several educational fellowships aimed at improving the quality of development assistance. The International Development Fellowship Program is shaping the next generation of global thinkers by annually sending dozens of young Canadians abroad to learn about the challenges of development from our in-country partners. A scholarship program invites mid-career development professionals from Asia and Africa to study in Canada, where they can learn and share knowledge with other students and form life-long professional relationships. The Foundation also sends Canadian specialists overseas to share their knowledge and expertise with counterparts in the developing world.
AKFC regularly contributes to the ongoing dialogue on Canada's development policies. It collaborates with many Canadian institutions, including McMaster University, the University of Guelph, University of Toronto, University of Calgary, Queens University and Ryerson University. Thanks to the Aga Khan Development Network, AKFC forms a unique link between Canadian development professionals and their colleagues in the developing world.
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