The Weekly
CEO Top of Mind
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
New Development Policy
The Australian is reporting today that the long awaited Development Policy will be released next week. ACFID called for a Development Policy prior to the last election and was pleased that Ministers Wong and Conroy initiated a consultation process for a new Development Policy to guide Australia’s $4.7 billion annual aid spend. ACFID’s submission to the policy design and our markers for what we want to see are in the annex: New Development Policy 2022 – ACFID
We are anticipating a public launch of the policy on DFAT’s website, along with its accompanying Performance and Delivery Framework, and the Development Finance Review. It will be live-streamed via the DFAT Youtube Channel here at 4pm on Tuesday 8th of August.
These three documents will be eagerly anticipated by our sector. ACFID will be releasing its analysis in the coming days and offering a members-only briefing on Thursday 10th August from 2pm-3pm. Register via zoom tomorrow here.
DFAT will host a stakeholder briefing on Australia’s International Development Policy on Wednesday 9 August from 10.30-12pm via Webex.
To join this call, please RSVP to DFAT via [email protected] by COB Monday 7 August. To preserve bandwidth, DFAT has requested that only one representative per organisation participate in the call
To Action
ACFID Annual Statistical Survey 2023
ACFID thanks all members who have already completed their statistical survey for 2023. If you have not submitted it yet please do so, or get in touch with ACFID to request an extension. Extensions are only possible until 15 August, then the survey will close. We strongly encourage all members to participate, as ACFID uses the valuable sector insights provided in significant advocacy work, and would love to see your organisation represented accurately. Additionally, you can win tickets to the ACFID Conference. ACFID is also happy to provide a separate unique link to the HR section of the survey for organisations that require it. If you would like this option, please submit the survey with this section blank, and get in touch so we can provide you with a separate password protected survey for this section. Please contact [email protected] if you have any problems or questions about the survey.
To Read
Vale Betty Hounslow AM
ACFID is deeply saddened by the news and loss of Betty Hounslow. Betty served in the ACFID Membership in various agencies and held a position on the ACFID Board for many years. She acted as the Vice President from 2009 – 2012. Well respected by her peers, Betty was a formidable, life-long activist with a strong passion for human rights and a razor-sharp eye for governance. We were lucky to have her guidance during her time on the Board, and she will be missed by many. Read here.
To Read
HRG Lobbying Day
This week, members of the Humanitarian Reference Group gathered in Canberra to brief members on how Australia can be a better responder to protracted crises. Collectively, we reaffirmed the importance of Australia’s commitments in multilateral institutions, called for greater flexible multi-year funding packages and advocated for a strong whole-of-government strategy. Thank you and congratulations to all involved.
To Attend
Development sector workshop: DFAT’s upcoming Disability Equity and Rights Strategy
Due to high levels of interest, the workshop has reached registration capacity. Please register via this link to join a waiting list.
If you have registered but can no longer attend, please email [email protected] so that your place in the workshop can be made available to waitlist registrants.
Further details: The virtual workshop will be co-hosted by the Australian Disability Development Consortium (ADDC), CBM Australia and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). The workshop will open with an update on the new strategy development as informed by DFAT, followed by a discussion to coordinate insights and ideas from across the international development sector on how Australia’s development program can partner with people with disabilities to create greater inclusion and more equitable outcomes. The session will be held virtually via Zoom with live captioning and Auslan interpretation available.
When: Tuesday 15 August 2023
Time: 11am to 12:30pm AEST
Where: Online on Zoom
Register via this link to join a waiting list.
To Attend
Australian Aid for a Safer World for All
For our QLD based members, please join Marc Purcell and other sector leaders at the ALP Conference where we are co-hosting a fringe event panel discussing rebuilding the Australian Aid program, responding to Climate Change, and progressing the SDGs. The panel will be followed by networking drinks hosted by The Hon. Pat Conroy, Minister for International Development & the Pacific and Lyn Morgain, Oxfam CEO and ACFID Board Director. Click here for more information and how to register.
When: Thrusady 17 August 2023
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm AEST
Where: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Center
To Attend
Racial Justice Framework & Toolkit
The Racial Justice Community of Practice (RJCOP), along with the support of ACFID, is launching a Racial Justice Framework & Toolkit!
This Racial Justice Framework has been developed to support Australian international development NGOs increase their action on anti-racism and racial justice. A common challenge for many actors wanting to engage in anti-racism issues is to understand the role they can play and where they can be most effective. racial justice is a complexissue, the enormity of which can easily overwhelm and confuse those who want to meaningfully engage. This framework seeks to address this issue by providing a clear categorisation of racial justice actions relevant to organisations. As part of the launch, we will hear from several organisations and their experiences along the journey towards racial justice0
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When: Thursday 24 August 2023
Time: 2pm to 3pm AEST
Where: Online
Join us online by registering here.
To Action
UK international development white paper: call for evidence
The UK is developing a new Development Whtie Paper and has made a global ‘call for evidence’ closing on 16th September 2023. This is an interesting opportunity for those wanting to feed in, and refining the approach to locally led will be a strong focus of their future work. Click here to read more.
To Read
USAID Releases First-Ever LGBTQI+ Inclusive Development Policy
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 |
| 9 August | 7pm – 8pm | Oxfam virtual gathering on the Voice |
| 15 August | 11am – 12:30pm | Development sector workshop: DFAT’s upcoming Disability Equity and Rights strategy |
| 16 August | 6:30pm – 7:45pm | Global challenges around conflict and climate-driven mobility |
| 17 August | 3:30pm to 4:30pm | Australian Aid for a Safer World for All |
| 24 August | 2pm – 3pm | Racial Justice Framework & Toolkit |
| 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
Following Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s visit to Timor-Leste in July, Melissa Conley Tyler outlines why strengthening personal connections “will help create both the political will and the broader mobilisation of Australian society that is needed in order to overcome the barriers and challenges that Timor-Leste faces.” The article draws on a recent AP4D options paper looking at how Australia can shape a shared future with Timor-Leste.