This event, dedicated to environmental preservation and community service, brought together volunteers of all ages with the same common goal: a cleaner, greener and more sustainable planet.
The testimony of a volunteer, Nádia Carmali Samji:
"This is the second year that I went with my family to do the beach clean-up. I think it's a very good initiative, because as well as keeping the beaches clean, we also encourage the younger ones to do it and I think it's great that we can pass on these values to them, for the good of all of us and also for our planet. We also really enjoyed socialising with adults and children, and seeing everyone with the same purpose. It was very enjoyable and will definitely be repeated in future years."
After the success of the event, it's time to celebrate the achievements made and look to the future with hope and determination.
A Day of Action and Commitment: Global Ismaili CIVIC Day is more than an ordinary beach clean-up day. Jamat came together to serve a greater purpose - the protection of our environment. Around 200 volunteers dedicated their time and energy to cleaning the beaches and collected an impressive amount of waste with the valuable support of the League for the Protection of Nature (LPN) and Oeiras City Council.
Testimonial from the partner, LPN - Portuguese League for Nature:
"Mares Circulares is a programme that aims to involve all citizens and raise community awareness of the problem of marine litter. For the third year, we collaborated with Ismaili CIVIC in an action that brought together nearly 200 people who are now more aware of waste and what they can improve in their daily lives to contribute to a cleaner planet."
Impressive Environmental Impact: Each of the volunteers played a key role in achieving the truly impressive environmental impact. During the event, more than 55kg of waste was collected, including:
- 12.05 kg of packaging
- 6.1kg of other plastics
- 16.15 kg of glass
- 20.95 kg of unsorted waste
The Importance of Raising Awareness: A surprising discovery during the beach clean-up was the collection of 1941 cigarette butts. This figure draws attention to the ongoing need to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and the improper disposal of cigarette butts. Global Ismaili CIVIC Day is more than a catalyst for physically cleaning up the environment, but also as a means of educating and raising awareness about more sustainable practices.
Reuse and Sustainability: This year, one of the central messages of Global Ismaili CIVIC Day was also reuse. Participants were encouraged to keep their t-shirts from the event to wear at the next edition. This not only promotes the reuse of resources, but also emphasises the importance of sustainability in our daily lives. Small actions like this can have a significant impact on reducing textile waste and conserving resources.
Celebration and Future Commitment: As we celebrate the success of Global Ismaili CIVIC Day 2023, we also look to the future with optimism. The volunteers who took part in this event leave a remarkable legacy for future generations. Community action in favour of the environment is not limited to a single day; it is an ongoing commitment.
Be an Agent of Change: If you didn't get a chance to take part in this year's event, look out for Global Ismaili CIVIC Day 2024. United, we can continue to make a difference and protect our planet, one action at a time. Every little action contributes to a cleaner, healthier future.
Take part in the Evaluation: Share your experience and help us improve. We invite all participants to fill in the event evaluation form. Your opinion is important to us!
Global Ismaili CIVIC Day 2023 is a testament to the strength of the community when it comes to caring for our environment. Let's continue to be agents of change and inspire others to join us on this journey towards environmental preservation. Our planet thanks you, and so do we.
