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21 Goals for 2021
21 Goals for 2021
31 December 2020

With optimism and hope for a new beginning, and as we all think about our resolutions for the new year, The Ismaili would like to share with you 21 Goals for 2021!

With a nod to each one of our 21 Ismaili Council jurisdictions across the globe, and inspired by our 20 Goals for 2020, we hope we can resolve to accomplish them all together.

Happy New Year!

2020: The year when everything changed
2020: The year when everything changed
30 December 2020

It is tempting to think that we can just leave 2020 behind and look ahead to a fresh new year. However, this might be short-sighted. The bigger picture suggests that collectively, we have never learned so much in such a short space of time — about the world, about each other, and about ourselves. It would be wise to hold on to these lessons, as we may soon need to put them into action...

How can we begin to turn noble ideals into action and solutions to the challenges we face today?
How can we begin to turn noble ideals into action and solutions to the challenges we face today?
Pluralism: a work in progress
Pluralism: a work in progress
26 November 2020

The year 2020 has rapidly become one of the most disruptive in living memory. Just as one life-altering crisis becomes embedded in the collective consciousness, other developments gain attention, raising additional questions to address. Many of us are asking, what is our responsibility? What can we do, and how can we help?

In Roshtqala, Tajikistan, the Aga Khan Foundation supports a programme that links "Pamiri Yarn" – a cashgora-producing women's group – to buyers in the USA. The business benefits Tajik and American artisans, as well as cashgora goat producers in the Pamirs.
In Roshtqala, Tajikistan, the Aga Khan Foundation supports a programme that links "Pamiri Yarn" – a cashgora-producing women's group – to buyers in the USA. The business benefits Tajik and American artisans, as well as cashgora goat producers in the Pamirs.
Recognising rural women for their contribution to a sustainable future
Recognising rural women for their contribution to a sustainable future
15 October 2020

The vital role of women throughout history has ensured that communities and nations have been able to progress, safeguarding the stability and long-term development of society as a whole. Rural women play a key role in food production worldwide and form a large proportion of the global agricultural workforce.

Yaseena Khalfan, a teacher at the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, has had to be creative and learn new skills to transition to remote learning.
Yaseena Khalfan, a teacher at the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, has had to be creative and learn new skills to transition to remote learning.
Teachers and students of the Jamat embrace remote learning amidst pandemic
Teachers and students of the Jamat embrace remote learning amidst pandemic
1 September 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced teachers and students around the world to make an abrupt transition from classrooms to remote learning as schools, universities, and religious education centres were closed. Teachers redesigned lessons and adapted to the new reality of keeping students engaged virtually. Meanwhile, students adjusted to learning online without the ease of classroom interactions. Ismaili teachers and students around the world have risen to this challenge and are finding ways to embrace remote learning and tap into the opportunities it offers.

It is important that each of us wear a face mask when we are in a public setting where we could be exposed to a large group of people, and especially in an indoor, closed area.
It is important that each of us wear a face mask when we are in a public setting where we could be exposed to a large group of people, and especially in an indoor, closed area.
Interview with Dr Gijs Walraven, Director of Health at the Aga Khan Development Network
Interview with Dr Gijs Walraven, Director of Health at the Aga Khan Development Network
27 August 2020

Based in Geneva, Dr Walraven has direct management responsibility for the Aga Khan Health Service Companies, located in South and Central Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East. In this interview, he explains the value and importance of wearing a face mask in our continued fight against Covid-19.

Drones will be used increasingly in a number of industries, from agriculture to construction and security.
Drones will be used increasingly in a number of industries, from agriculture to construction and security.
Coronavirus and the acceleration of innovation
Coronavirus and the acceleration of innovation
17 August 2020

The current healthcare crisis is accelerating the pace of change, and new innovations that were expected to take a decade to develop are now being tested and marketed at a dizzying rate, which has consequences for almost all organisations and employees.

Our ability to be resilient can enable us to demonstrate more positive reactions and positive behaviour when faced with adversity.
Our ability to be resilient can enable us to demonstrate more positive reactions and positive behaviour when faced with adversity.
Optimism through resilience
Optimism through resilience
15 August 2020

The playing out of events over recent months has caused many of us to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Some of us may have felt distress, perhaps taking it out on others around us, some will have felt curious to learn new skills, while others may have felt like curling up into an anxious ball, worrying about what this means for the future.

Pandemic highlights the importance of mental wellness
Pandemic highlights the importance of mental wellness
3 August 2020

According to the American Psychiatric Association, 36 per cent of Americans say coronavirus is having a serious impact on their mental health. This means that in every group of three friends, at least one could be at risk of developing a mental health condition.

Amaan Nathoo of Vancouver, B.C, working at home.
Amaan Nathoo of Vancouver, B.C, working at home.
The future of work: In the office, at home
The future of work: In the office, at home
8 June 2020

The future is here. Once a remote possibility, working from home has become commonplace and more accepted, much sooner than anticipated. While most employers have in the past resisted the idea of their workforces performing their duties from home, necessity is the mother of invention, and the current coronavirus crisis has left many employers with no other option.

Finding a balance between human progress and respecting the planet we live on is crucial to building a sustainable future for ourselves and the generations to follow.
Finding a balance between human progress and respecting the planet we live on is crucial to building a sustainable future for ourselves and the generations to follow.
World Environment Day: Building a sustainable future
World Environment Day: Building a sustainable future
4 June 2020

The world is made up of different races, nations, languages, and opinions, but we all share one thing in common: the Earth we inhabit. We depend on the planet’s resources to live our lives. The faith of Islam teaches followers to care for Allah’s creation, as part of our values of ethical behaviour and good character.

The act of reflection can be incredibly powerful. It can help improve self-awareness, deepen understanding, increase clarity of thinking, and provide general mental decluttering.
The act of reflection can be incredibly powerful. It can help improve self-awareness, deepen understanding, increase clarity of thinking, and provide general mental decluttering.
Ten questions for self reflection (and what to do with the answers)
Ten questions for self reflection (and what to do with the answers)
1 June 2020

If you’re finding yourself with some extra time in lockdown, don't give in to boredom. Instead, see if you can give yourself some space and time to think about where you are in life — and where you'd like to be.

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