The Weekly
Acting CEO Top of Mind
Jessica Mackenzie, what is at the top of your mind this week?
Planning for ACFID’s 2023 national conference to be held 18-19 October at UNSW, Sydney is in full swing. We were delighted to receive more than 40 expressions of interest to deliver concurrent sessions at the event, and are hugely appreciative of the collaborative efforts you all have made to share your ideas with us. The program team will work through these over the coming weeks and be in touch directly as the sessions are finalised. As momentum builds in the planning of our first face-to-face (plus hybrid) conference since 2019, now is the time to sign up to receive updates as we announce speakers, early bird registrations and more. You can read more and sign-up here. The Policy team will be out visiting ACFID’s members next week with workshops to be held in Melbourne (Tuesday) and Sydney (Thursday). The team are eager to engage with you on our collective advocacy efforts. Take advantage of this opportunity by registering here. More broadly, as the end of financial year is upon us alongside school holidays and the non-stop nature of our important work continues, I urge you to take the time you can to stay connected to the things that centre and energise you. Our sector is nothing without a thriving and talented workforce to support it.
To Attend
Preparing your ACFID Code reporting
The ACFID Code team is holding a webinar for anyone involved in preparing their organisation’s Code Self-Assessment or Exceptions Report.
This webinar will cover:
– Tips and advice on completing the Code Self-Assessment
– How to submit your Code Self-Assessment or Exceptions Report through ACFID’s online portal
– FAQs and the opportunity to ask questions
When: Tuesday 11 July
Time: 12 pm – 1 pm
Where: Online
DFAT Consultations on the International Gender Equality Strategy
ACFID’s Gender Equality Community of Practice is partaking in consultations for the development of DFAT’s new International Gender Equality Strategy, including via a consultation scheduled for 11 July 2023. If you are interested in participating, please join the Gender Equality COP via the MyACFID Platform, or reach out to Brigid O’Farrell, Policy and Advocacy Lead via [email protected]
To Attend
ACFID Member Workshops and Catch Ups
ACFID’s Policy & Advocacy Team will be in Melbourne from 3-5 July and in Sydney from 5- 7 July for member workshops and catch ups to discuss policy & advocacy strategies emerging from the upcoming New Development Policy (gender, disability, LGBTQIA+, humanitarian and more), as well as a presentation on how to promote NGOs as valuable partners.
Member Workshops will be held on the afternoons (1:30pm-4.30pm) of 4 July in Melbourne at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, and the 6 July in Sydney at the Wesley Mission Conference Centre (please arrive ten minutes before to ensure a prompt start). Followed by drinks. Please come and attend the drinks even if you cannot make the workshop, to say hi (4:30pm onwards)
On the 3rd of July & 6th of July we will be arranging a series of 1-1 catchups with colleagues from our member organisations.
Please register via the form here to indicate interest for both the workshop and if you would like to arrange 1-1 catchups with the Policy & Advocacy team and we will distribute an agenda and a calendar invitation.
Values of First Nations Australians and Pacific connections – an AP4D NAIDOC Week panel discussion
On Tuesday 4 July the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D) will host a NAIDOC Week panel discussion: Values of First Nations Australians and Pacific connections. Salā Dr George Carter, Director of The Pacific Institute at The Australian National University, will facilitate a conversation between Mr Justin Mohamed, Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People and Ms Jane Bastin-Sikimeti, Director, Pacific Gender Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The discussion is an opportunity to hear how DFAT engages First Nations Australians and values the contribution and cultural knowledge First Nations people bring to foreign policy discussions and international engagements.
Who: AP4D
When: Tuesday 4 July
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm (AEST)
Where: Online via Zoom
To Attend
Australian Democracy Network Event
Join us for the #OurDemocracy Peace + Democracy Forum on Monday 10th July at 6:30pm AEST. Our fantastic lineup of speakers will discuss the pervasive tactics used by the weapons industry to incentivise war and stymie peace, why a strong democracy is the key to progress, as well as how we can work together to make our democracy work for all of us, not just the powerful few. Speakers include:
- Dr Mark Zirnsak Senior Social Justice Advocate of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Uniting Church in Australia
- Dr Sue Wareham OAM President of the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia)
- Scott Ludlam Freelance troublemaker & former WA Senator
- Dr Alison Broinowski Vice-President of Australians for War Powers Reform
- Michelle Fahy Independent researcher & journalist
We encourage organisations to share with their supporters and networks!
Please register via the form here to indicate interest for both the workshop and if you would like to arrange 1-1 catchups with the Policy & Advocacy team and we will distribute an agenda and a calendar invitation.
Climate Resilient by Nature Learning Event
This event will bring together development sector partners, carbon project implementors, investors and experts in voluntary carbon market ecosystems.
Speakers include Keith Bohannon, CEO of Plan Vivo, David Tow – Managing Director Asia Pacific from Tasman Environmental Markets and Mei Zi Tan – Manager International Research and Projects from the Carbon Market Institute.
This event will bring together development sector partners, carbon project implementors, investors and experts in voluntary carbon market ecosystems.
Speakers include Keith Bohannon, CEO of Plan Vivo, David Tow – Managing Director Asia Pacific from Tasman Environmental Markets and Mei Zi Tan – Manager International Research and Projects from the Carbon Market Institute.
Who: WWF-Australia
When: Wednesday 12th July
Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm AEST
Where: Online
Previously in The Weekly:
- Proposed changes to the ACFID Code – Read more on the Code Review webpage.
- ACFID anticipates the release of the Government’s new Development Policy, led by DFAT in the coming weeks. Read our submissions below.
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time (AEST) | Event |
| 4 July | 11:00am – 12:00pm | Values of First Nations Australians and Pacific connections – an AP4D NAIDOC Week panel discussion |
| 3 – 7 July | Policy & Advocacy Team Melbourne & Sydney Member Visits | |
| 10 July | 6:30pm | Australian Democracy Network Event |
| 11 July | 12pm – 1pm | Preparing your ACFID Code reporting |
| 12 July | 3:00pm – 6:00pm | Climate Resilient by Nature Learning Event |
| 12 July | 2pm – 4pm | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
| 30 August | 9:30am – 11:30am | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
| 20 – 21 September | CID Annual Conference 2023 | |
| 18-19 October | ACFID National Conference 2023 (Sydney) | |
| 16 November | 2pm – 4pm | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
Food for Thought
Last week the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters released their interim recommendations on amending the Electoral Act. You can see the #OurDemocracy Campaign’s media release here and the scorecard that summarises some of the findings and what it means for the sector.