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SMC – Faith in developmentl monitors civil society’s ability to work for sustainable, democratic and fair development in accordance with the global goals in Agenda 2030 and a Christian ecumenical value base.

We are experts on freedom of religion or belief and the role of religion in the development of society. Through our member organisations, we have good contacts and networks in both Swedish and global civil society. Here you will find information about our experts and what we can comment on in the media and other contexts.

SMC in Sweden

We gather 30 organisations and churches in Sweden with commitment to international development work and mission. Based on our expert knowledge, we work with education and advocacy towards Swedish civil society, but also politicians, Sida, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other people with power in Sweden and internationally. We monitor the following areas in Sweden:

Swedish development aid policy
Policy proposals on freedom of religion or belief
Faith-based civil society organisations
Ecumenical cooperation between ecclesiastical actors

SMC globally

Through our network, we have good contacts with civil society in over 50 countries. Above all, we have knowledge of how Swedish development cooperation works in these countries, what role religious actors have for the development of society and how freedom of religion or belief affects different contexts. We monitor the following areas globally:

Freedom of religion or belief in relation to:

The democratic space of civil society in different countries
International development cooperation
Equality
Evangelism and Mission

Religious literacy or the role of religion in:

International development cooperation
Climate work
The global goals in Agenda 2030
Civil society around the world

Our experts

SMC – Faith in development employs Sweden’s foremost experts on freedom of religion or belief. We have solid knowledge of missionary work and how religion affects work for human rights, gender equality, societal development and climate. In this work, we meet both Christian and interfaith target groups, academics and politicians.

Our experts also have many years of experience in monitoring Swedish development policy. Feel free to contact them with your questions!

Kristina Patring

Senior Advisor for Capacity building Freedom of Religion or Belief

+46 8 453 68 93 kristina.patring@smc.global

Kristina’s areas of expertise: Human rights, especially religious freedom

Petter Jakobsson

Senior Advisor for Mission and Theology, Religion and Development

+46 8 453 68 88 petter.jakobsson@smc.global

Petter’s areas of expertise: Religion, mission and ecumenical cooperation

Petter is an expert in religion, ecumenism and mission. He can answer questions such as:

What is the significance of different denominations and religious leaders for political and social development?
How can knowledge of religion make international cooperation work more effective?
How has SMC developed over the past 50 years?
What theological dilemmas currently have bearing on international ecumenism, that is, the cooperation between different Christian traditions?