More Meetings to Enhance Learning
Following feedback from member organisations, the annual Desk Officer Day has been redesigned into a network. Under its new name, the SMC Learning Network (SLN), four gatherings will be held each year with a strong focus on learning. The first session of 2024 took place on February 13 at the Ecumenical Center.
– Our hope is that more frequent meetings will foster greater continuity and understanding within the network,” says Erik Bäckelid, an advisor at SMC Faith in Development and one of the key contributors to SLN. He envisions the new format encouraging increased networking between member organisations, partners, and SMC. To ensure broader participation, every other meeting will be held online.
The topics covered in each session will vary, focusing on methodology, thematic issues, or grant management. The agenda for the February 13 gathering included a lecture by Kristina Patring, SMC advisor, on FoRB (Freedom of Religion or Belief) in development initiatives. Participants also received updates on the transition of member organisations to program-based funding.
A recurring theme in 2024 is Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Views on the topic differ widely within the network, and SMC hopes that open dialogue will help bridge perspectives. Sida has made SRHR a priority issue for dialogue during the current program period, and SLN also sees it as an essential topic to address, says Erik Bäckelid:
– As a network of faith-based actors, we believe we have an important role to play in discussions about sexual and reproductive health and rights. It has been a sensitive issue, but religious actors have a responsibility to engage in dialogue regardless.
The next SLN meeting will be held online on April 23, with partners also welcome to join. Subsequent meetings in 2024 are scheduled for September 24 at the Ecumenical Center and November 17 online.
