The experience of the past three decades of development effort shows that even when government, non-government and commercial organisations as well as international agencies work together, they are not able to meet most, let alone all, of the needs for shelter, health, and sustenance of the world's populations. Developing this theme at the inauguration of the restored Baltit Fort in northern Pakistan in 1996, the Aga Khan put forward the proposition that only when these organisations come together in, and especially, with a community, that the necessary resources can be generated and change can be sustained. This is a guiding principle for the work of the institutions which make up the Aga Khan Development Network . Development models require time to demonstrate their effectiveness and to enable local communities to take on full responsibility for their own future development. The AKDN agencies, therefore, make a long-term commitment to the areas in which they work, guided by the philosophy that a humane, sustainable environment must reflect the choices made by people themselves of how they live and wish to improve their prospects in harmony with their environment.
Sustainability is, thus, a central consideration from the outset.
The evidence shows that this patient, participatory philosophy is beginning to yield its fruits. Efforts of participating communities to improve services and incomes have enabled them in some of these regions to accumulate unprecedented cash savings to provide the capital and knowledge for their own development. They can now take measures to protect their environment, to establish schools and operate medical facilities largely paid for by themselves. Local communities in different parts of the world are also beginning to appreciate and safeguard their cultural heritage and values as irreplaceable assets, which must not be allowed to be eroded by elusive notions of modern progress. Unless these unfortunates can be touched with the spark which ignites the spirit of individual enterprise and determination, they will sink back into renewed apathy, degradation, and despair.