The 88th International Committee Meeting (ICM) of SCI was graciously hosted by SCI Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia, from 5 to 8 December 2024. It was a chance for SCI people to connect, discuss and take important decisions on the future of the organisation. It was also the first ICM held in Asia after COVID, giving a chance to more Asian branches to (re)connect with the movement.

The meeting was preceded by an opening ceremony, where we had the pleasure to have a taste of the diverse Malaysian culture thanks to three different dance performances representing the three major ethnic groups in the country: Chinese, Indian and Malay. They were followed by inspiring and encouraging speeches by distinguished participants and guests, including Mr. YB Wong Hon Wai, Exco Tourism and Creative Economy of Penang, Mr. YBhg Dato’ Athimulam Arjunan, President of SCI Penang, Ms. Alexandra Vasileiou, outgoing International President of SCI, Mr. YBhg Prof. Dato’ Seri Anwar Fazal JP, Chairman of Penang Gandhi Peace Centre, among others. They emphasised the role of peace in development and harmony among people, as well as the three dimensions of peace: peace within oneself, peace with others and peace with Mother Earth, and the need now more than even to work towards positive peace.

Then our work began with different discussions and reflections on the past of SCI, taking a look at the work done this year by different groups, the progress in implementing our new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, and our finances. Then it was time to look at the future, with the Plan of Action for 2025 and different resolutions to inform our work for the coming years. Plans have been set in motion to simplify our internal financial systems of solidarity, to support each other by sharing knowledge and resources more efficiently, and to work on having a stronger voice in all situations of war where people are suffering immensely.

Some discussions took the form of evening workshops, to dive deeper into the impact of our activities, to look at what peace activism is for SCI, to consider the role of media in forming the public’s opinion on wars, and to reflect on our role in antimilitarist activism.

New working groups were accepted in SCI, namely Abya Yala, the regional working group for the Americas, the Climate team, and the No more war collective.

ICM was also a chance for delegates to vote on the new International Executive Committee (IEC) members: Antonella di Matteo as our new International president, and Femi Aganran and Antonios Sifakis, who were both confirmed for their second term as members. Bert Verstappen was nominated acting Vice-President, and Sarah Köksal was co-opted as a new member. We extend a warm welcome to the new board members and we  are excited to see where this new, younger team will lead us! At the same time, we want to wholeheartedly thank the outgoing President Alexandra Vasileiou and the outgoing Vice-President Silvio Martinelli.

Finally, we also held the annual Pierre Cérésole Awards ceremony, which is a platform to showcase exceptional projects.

All this work did not mean there was no room for partying. SCI Malaysia organised a fantastic social night for us, live music, dancing, games, and amazing food of course! And after the meeting, they organised a day-trip to Taiping and a mini-workcamp in Penang hills, to connect with the local community and project partners.

All in all, it was a productive few days with lots of fun in between. We are grateful to all the delegates for showing up and committing to the ICM’s democratic decision-making process, as well as to SCI Malaysia to making it possible for all of us to meet!