February 3rd marked the opening of the 2024 activities with the session "Onboarding Ismaili Institutions: Sub members 2023-2024", which took place at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon. The event was attended by around 60 people in an atmosphere of fun, good energy and enthusiasm, which is absolutely critical to strengthening relations between all the institutions whose common purpose is to serve our Jamat in the best possible way!

Português

With this special moment to open the year, we wanted to promote the necessary synergies between the different institutions, which in this way were able to get to know their members and sub-members, their greatest achievements to date, as well as their greatest aspirations!

The afternoon began with the collection of the "Boarding Pass" at the check-in desk, allowing each participant to enter this journey of discovery and deep interaction with the institutions present on the day. The participants, divided into groups of 5 to 6 people, discovered the various institutions by passing their stands in the halls of the Ismaili Centre. This was a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and suggestions between all the members and sub-members, to be welcomed on the day, where they could enrich their journey with these stops at each institution and, thus, complete their "Boarding Pass" with a "stamp" from each of them.

The opening session of the event was given by the Vice-President of the National Council, Munir Ahmad, and it couldn't have been more inspiring! Our purpose in serving the Jamat was greatly reinforced, with very important notes on current challenges, recommendations for the future in the service of the Jamat, as well as congratulations to all the appointees.

There was also an icebreaker dynamic, which involved the participants and allowed everyone to get into the spirit of the day. In the end, we concluded together that when we really have the ability to generate empathy and have an authentic feeling of caring for the people we serve, we're not alone.

We came to the end of the day happy and proud to be part of this group of people whose purpose is greater than any individual interest. With a sense of mission accomplished, we promoted knowledge of the work of the different institutions and their areas of activity, we strengthened relations between the different teams in a friendly and energetic atmosphere!