An international and multicultural meeting that brought together the INESC TEC community and their families, to observe Nowruz (Persian New Year) and Eid al-Fitr (holiday that marks the end of Ramadan) – and celebrate the institution’s diverse environment. The meeting, organised by the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Commission of INESC TEC, also featured a musical moment led by the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM).
For the third consecutive year, the Institute brought the community together to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism. This year, the meeting welcomed participants from 10 different countries, representing four continents. “It was a day of reflection, celebration and food sharing, with important presentations from our colleagues who shared their experiences and traditions,” said the members of the D&I Commission.
“Mohammad Hossein Zolfagharnasab, an Iranian researcher in telecommunications and multimedia ‘transported’ us to Iran by describing how he and his family celebrate Nowruz. Shazia Tabassum, a researcher in the field of AI, introduced us to majestic India, explaining how she used to spend Eid al-Fitr in her home country”, the Commission recalled.
In addition to sharing experiences, the participants of the event had the possibility to attend a musical session led by the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM). “It was a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the incredible stories of Afghan musicians and travel through the cultural richness of Afghanistan,” the D&I Commission team added.
According to the Commission, this annual event demonstrates the power of diversity in strengthening the community and fostering inclusion. “By celebrating traditions from different cultures, we promote dialogue, empathy and unity”, they mentioned, while urging for reflection: “however, and despite this type of events, one must think which initiatives we could organise to make our environment even more welcoming and representative”. The event ended with a moment to taste typical dishes.
INESC TEC welcomes more than 200 employees from other countries, totalling more than 40 nationalities. The focus on people and inclusion is one of the values of the institution – which, in the strategic plan for the 2023-2030 period, advocates the diversity of talents and the welcoming of international researchers, nurturing an inclusive and free-thinking environment.
The D&I Commission team is composed of Ana Filipa Sequeira, Ana Lopes, Aurora Teixeira, Tiago Gonçalves and Tiago Silva.
News, current topics, curiosities and so much more about INESC TEC and its community!
