We are excited to announce that SMEX is now a full member IFEX, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange. The exchange, founded in 1992, is a network of 104 organizations from around the world connected by a shared commitment to to defend and promote freedom of expression as a fundamental human right.

SMEX was voted in by the membership at the 18th meeting of the IFEX network, held Trinidad and Tobago last month. In particular, we were recognized for our expertise in digital rights and legislation in the Arab world, such as our work on the Arab Digital Rights Dataset, the joint stakeholder report on privacy in Lebanon, and Digital Citizen newsletter.

Another Lebanese organization, MARCH Lebanon, was also inducted at the meeting, and Maharat Foundation was the first Lebanese organization to join, meaning that three of the 14 groups from the Arab region are from Lebanon. Our executive director, Jessica Dheere, attended the meeting and presented SMEX’s candidacy to the membership.

IFEX membership affords organizations working to protect and expand free expression the opportunity to share experiences and resources as well as to benefit from institutional support in strategic and financial sustainability planning.

Member applications are reviewed once a year. The next opportunity to apply will be in 2016. Visit ifex.org/joining_ifex to learn more.