Invitation

Every Woman, every Man is, in a nutshell, an inseparable combination of mind and body.

Based upon this unquestionable truth we have inherited from the Antiquity Wisdom the well known saying “Mens sana in corpore sano” (a healthy mind in a healthy body”).

It has been scientifically proved that exercising, when adequately chosen and performed, offers an additional physical and mental well being, thus enhancing the overall well-being and the intellectual capacities of people.

Many organizations have long ago recognized the importance of this fact and have been offering the necessary conditions to allow their staff the practice of physical exercise, gymnastics, sports, and many other activities. Statistics Portugal has embarked in a similar fashion long ago and has since then continuously supported its Sports and Cultural Group in many areas of activity from gym to choral performances (the fame of the GDINE Chorus has crossed the borders of Statistics Portugal and of the country), from painting to social programmes.

This good conscience is shared obviously within the many National Statistics Institutes that have permitted their staff to participate in this 22nd Volleyball Tournament of Statistical Offices. You are all very welcome.

It is always a great pleasure to welcome colleagues from other countries, whom, like us, have the privilege of working in the production of official statistics, i.e. feeling the difficulties and enjoying the successes.

It is a pleasure to share with all of you moments of professional pause, either playing volley or offering you additional knowledge of our country, our people, our landscapes, our culture, our gastronomy, and our wine only to mention few.

I wish you all enjoy this Tournament under the principle “Mens sana in corpore sano”.

Finally I wish this occasion to be a successful opportunity for a friendly and complicit interaction among European statisticians.

Once more welcome to Statistics Portugal, to Lisbon, to Portugal!

Enjoy your time and come again soon.


Alda de Caetano Carvalho
(President of Statistics Portugal)