We thank the advisory board from the International Congress Qualitative Inquiry initially led by Prof. Norman Denzin and now being guided by Michael Giardina from the University of Illinois for playing a leading role in the field of qualitative research, which inspired us to set-up ENQI as a sister event to allow more young scholars with limited financial means to participate in the congresses organised by the network. We continue to collaborate and facilitate cross-regional special interest groups and game changer initiatives to facilitate exchange across continents.