Our news and analysis

Interactive exercises, stories and case studies. In April the Freedom of Religion or Belief facilitators’ toolkit was launched in a digital event with around 50 participants from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

How do we reverse a growing sense that the world is falling apart? That was the key question when the SMC network organised a panel discussion on young people’s perspectives and engagement.

The theme for SMC’s 2023 member days, attended by almost 100 participants from 29 member organisations was “Youth is the Present.” It was the first time after almost three years of digital meetings that the network could meet in real life, and spirits were high among the participants.

During 2023 SMC approved its first framework-agreement. The process, however, started already in 2021 with the recommendation in a report on how to best organise the SMC office to reach the goals set out in the strategic plan for 2022-2026.  

Due to the Covid pandemic, SMC have not had the opportunity for some years to travel with member organisations to visit cooperating partners and interventions. Therefore, trips during 2023 have been important but also rewarding to be able to see what is going on in the interventions. 

During the year, a key learning focus within the SMC network has been the relationship between freedom of religion and belief (FORB) and rights of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

On 15 November, SMC submitted the final reports for the trainee grant to UHR. The reports applied to both 2021 and 2022.

For many years SMC have had annual learning days in late November together with our Member Organizations, called the “Desk Officer Days”. These days have been an opportunity to dig deeper into different subjects, and to share and learn together. In recent years we have combined digital and in person meetings.

What can decision-makers, officials and various development actors do to promote an open and democratic culture, in the midst of a time of international division?