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I want to see more workshop at the meeting point between climate crisis and religion
At the time of writing, it is still unclear how we will remember Cop26 in Glasgow. The meeting is in full swing as I write this. What we do know is that we will have heard a lot of big words.
Money, colonialism and trusting partnerships
How can we contribute to trusting aid partnerships when we hold the money bag? It is an important question to ask ourselves, which is passing on aid money.
Scandinavian ministerial meeting on religion, climate and aid
The Knowledge Forum for Religion and Development network met the Scandinavian Ministers for Development Aid to talk about what faith has to do with civil society and aid.
Stronger emphasis on faith in new theory of change and development
Petter Jakobsson, our theological advisor, talks about the update of our theory of change and development and what we hope it will lead to.
Shorter distances with virtual follow-up visits
The distances in the world have felt longer than usual during the pandemic. But they decreased when we recently brought Sida on virtual follow-up visits to our partners in the Amazon, Colombia, Ethiopia and Nepal.
New guidelines to strengthen work on the environment and climate
A special investment of SEK 5 million per year will promote the integration of the environment and climate into the international development efforts that SMC supports through its member organisations.
Yemen’s foreign minister wanted to hear civil society’s analysis of the situation
Siri Karlsson from ADRA Sweden was there when Yemen’s Foreign Minister recently visited Sweden. He was particularly interested in how civil society can contribute to peaceful development.
Just over a billion in applications to Sida for the next five years
SMC applies for just over SEK 1 billion to finance the development cooperation planned together with the member organizations.
New operational strategy decided
At the Annual Meeting of the SMC yesterday, a new operational strategy for 2022-2026 was decided under the slogan Believe in a Better World. However, the decision was not taken unanimously.
Lessons learned from civil society during the pandemic
How have our partners tackled the pandemic during the past year? What have the restrictions meant for freedom? How has it affected the ability of faith-based organisations to operate in civil society?
Core support shall facilitate cooperation in aid
In recent years, Sida has challenged us strategic partner organisations to work more with a new form of support called Core Support. During the spring, we have carried out a pilot project.
Fundamentalism in Latin America – what can the Church do?
A political-religious version of fundamentalism has developed in Latin America over the past 20 years. It has weakened democracy across the continent. We gathered experts in Latin America to talk about what the role of the Church is and can be.
Analysing civic space from a faith perspective
We invited policymakers and civil society actors to help us connect the dots between freedom of religion or belief and civic space. The discussion illustrated a need for increased dialogue between advocates for democracy and advocates for freedom of religion or belief.
Long-term aid work in Ghana pays off
We want to share a story from Ghana. It is about how more than forty years ago our member organisation ADRA laid the foundations for a small vocational school that has today grown into a thriving university.
How to include freedom of religion or belief in civic space analysis
We at SMC work with different civil society actors around the world – many of which are faith-based. In this article we provide a checklist for understanding the role of freedom of religion or belief in civic space analysis.
Final reports show how rights for young people are being strengthened
Children’s rights are a recurring theme in the final reports we have read for 2020. Hanna Toorell talks in her column about how some of our partners work to strengthen children’s rights over time.
Successful course on conducting humanitarian projects
During three highly appreciated days, Illiasou Adamou from Niger taught the art of conducting both development but above all humanitarian projects in line with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
To love one’s neighbor by listening
We invite our member organisations to a day were we talk about the heart of mission – about what we put into the concept of holistic mission and how we can work ecumenically to learn from each other.
Support local forces to reverse developments in Yemen
Many are disappointed after this week’s International Donors’ Conference for Yemen. Our member organisations ADRA and PMU’s local partners work in Yemen.
High marks for our international work on religious freedom
An external evaluation concludes that our international work to promote religious freedom for all is very successful.
Network meeting of Nordic Mission Councils
Every year, the Nordic Mission Councils meet for exchange of experience and networking. This year, it was naturally done digitally, which also enabled more people to participate.
Our contribution to Agenda 2030 is hope!
Over 100 participants logged on to “SMC Network Inspirational Day” – our international and digital adaptation of the annual membership days.
Resilience puts words to sustainable aid work
An evaluation of our special investment in resilience 2017-2021 shows that the initiative has promoted collaborations in our network and that the concept of “resilience” is valuable for putting into words a work that is already being done, often linked to the nexus issues.
The Bible inspired work for the climate
A book about the Bible and the climate revolutionized her way of thinking. Since then, Dr. Ruth Valerio has devoted her life to climate change. At our annual membership days in February, she is one of the keynote speakers.
More climate focus in new development cooperation guidelines
There are now new guidelines for cooperation between SMC and the member organizations on long-term development cooperation in civil society (CivSam).
A fighter for cooperation with and between religious
In the shadow of the covid-19 pandemic, religious actors must cooperate regardless of their faith. This is according to Professor Azza Karam, who is one of the keynote speakers at our annual membership days in February.
‘Claiming Space for Faith’ report draws international attention
Internationally renowned Religion and Diplomacy draws attention to our latest report in an interview with Kristina Patring, our advisor on religious freedom.
Young people’s health: “We lost so many”
He comes from a large family with eight siblings. But three of them died of AIDS. That’s when Mike Mutungi began to take an interest in questions about young people’s health.
Conscientious objection: Said no for conscience’s sake
Juan Pablo Córtes was 18 years old when he refused to do military service on the grounds of conscience. A decision that has affected his life in several ways.
Over 270 million for international aid in 2021
Next year, SMC – Faith in Development will co-finance 57 international development efforts. 16 member organisations have been granted funds of over SEK 270 million for work mainly in Africa and Asia.
About leadership and mountains
In crisis situations such as a pandemic, good leadership is needed. That’s why I’m so excited about our newly started series of webinars focusing on leadership, organizational development and how our faith plays a part.
Desk Officer Days 2020: How to Support Effective and Sustainable Development
Julia Brandström shares some reflections after this year’s Desk Officer Digi-Days at SMC, mainly concerning ”How can we truly increase local ownership?”
We sow seeds for change with digital learning
In November, the SMC – Faith in Development held its first course on the digital learning platform Fabo. It was an introductory course in Outcome Mapping and Outcome Harvesting.
New Report Shows: Faith Overlooked in Work for Democracy
“Work for democracy will simply be more effective if issues of freedom of religion or belief are included and if we as aid actors understand the challenges facing our partner organisations.”
Continued humanitarian engagement
Sida has not yet taken a formal decision on the future of SMC’s strategic humanitarian partnership. However, when the current agreement expires in March 2021, an extension is expected until December 2022.
More digital learning through Fabo
Through our membership in Fabo, we and our member organizations will have greater opportunities to create digital resources for learning.
Is the world really getting less religious?
Yes, if you believe the latest survey by the World Value Survey. But the survey raises many questions.
Invitation: Championing a Localisation Movement in DRR
As part of the Swedish CSO Resilience Network we are happy to coordinate this interactive seminar on Thursday 1st of October.
Ambassadors raise awareness about orphanages
The number of orphans worldwide is declining, but orphanages are still being set up at a rapid pace. The Orphanage Dialogue project aims to create an awareness of the problems of orphanages and to show alternatives.
Smarter Development with Resilience
Promoting resilience will be critical in order to lift millions out of extreme poverty and meet the 2030 Global Goals. In this interview, resilience expert Silva Ferretti explains the idea of resilience and how to start working with it to strengthen development interventions.
Local actors facilitate humanitarian work in the wake of Corona
The SMC has recently been granted more than SEK 6 million divided over three humanitarian operations in South Sudan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
New report: Corona pandemic hits the world’s poor hard
Today we and six other Swedish organizations are releasing the report Coronapandemin hits the world’s poor hard. The report is a rally for democracy that lifts the voices of those most affected.
The heart of the Mission is part of the work on a new strategy
If you can’t do what you want, you can do what you can. So, a cancelled meeting place about the mission’s heart became a foundation in our work on a new operational strategy 2022-2026.
Faith in Development and the 2030 Agenda
The motto of SMC is “Faith in development”. Niklas Eklöv, head of policy and learning at SMC, highlights three main aspects borne out of having faith in development. These aspects are key to understanding the role that faith based actors play in working towards the 2030 Agenda.
Faith-based actors and their response to the 2030 Agenda
Sida invites partners and Sida staff to a lunch seminar on “Faith-based actors and their response to the 2030 Agenda”.
Making the most of feminist foreign policy
Law and gender specialist Dr. Saumya Uma visits Sweden with a clear message on the importance of connecting freedom of religion or belief and women’s rights.
Learning Platform to Promote Freedom of Religion or Belief to be Launched at the UN
79% of the world’s population live in a country where their religion or belief can put them at risk. Government restrictions and social hostilities based on religious identity or conviction are on the rise globally. The Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB) Learning Platform offers tools to help reverse this trend.