The Weekly
CEO Top of Mind
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
For close to 18 months ACFID has been consulting with you, our members, on proposed changes to the ACFID Code of Conduct. One of the most powerful opportunities that is now before us is to use the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme as a sector and embrace our role in catalysing a powerful force to prevent the movement of perpetrators of sexual misconduct within our agencies via disclosures made within implementing agencies at the final stage of recruitment. ACFID and our members taking on a scheme of this kind is one of the outstanding recommendations of the independent review into our sector conducted in 2018 of which the ACFID Board accepted all recommendations. This change will not become a compliance requirement for all Code signatories. Rather, this will become a requirement for members that deploy personnel for humanitarian initiatives and a Good Practice Indicator (encouraged, but not required for compliance) for all other members. As with all other parts of the Code, whether or not your agency needs to comply with this change will be determined by your self-assessment of your agency’s activities as relevant to this compliance indicator. We know this change will require a significant uplift of effort from our organisations and ACFID stands ready to both support members with the tools they need. To this end, we have procured legal advice on the adoption of the scheme for the Australian NFP sector and agency heads will have received an email inviting them to join a call next week to discuss the implications of this guidance. The details to register are also provided here in the weekly. I’m proud to present this affirmative measure for the prevention of sexual misconduct, abuse and harassment (PSEAH) in our agencies within the framework of our world-leading self regulatory standard, and look forward to discussing further with those who can make it next week.
To Action
ACFID Annual Perceptions Survey 2022-23
ACFID invites you to participate in our annual perceptions survey, covering the 2022-23 financial year, of the quality of our service as Australia’s peak body for Australian international development and humanitarian organisations. The survey is voluntary, however we strongly encourage you to participate, so we can obtain the most accurate and relevant understanding of our stakeholders and your needs as possible. Please complete the survey by no later than Friday 18 August 2023 and contact [email protected] if you have any problems accessing the survey. All survey questions can be read with a screen-reader. You can access the survey here.
To Attend
Register to attend: Code changes and the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme
One of the proposed changes arising from ACFID’s Code review involves participation in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. This change will apply only to ACFID members who deploy personnel for humanitarian initiatives. For all other members, it is proposed as a Good Practice Indicator. Arising from our previous discussions with members on the scheme, ACFID has procured legal advice surrounding the application of the scheme in the Australian context. We now invite interested members to a discussion on this advice, and your other questions about the scheme’s implementation. Registration for the call is essential, as the legal advice to be sent directly to registered participants in advance of the call. Please note this call is for ACFID members only, and will not be recorded.
Who: ACFID
When: Friday 4 August
Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Where: Online
To Attend
Global challenges around conflict and climate-driven mobility
UNAA ACT is pleased to host an exciting and informative online event with Mr. Robert Piper, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Solutions to Internal Displacement and we would love to see you there.
Topic: Global challenges around conflict and climate-driven mobility; rethinking how we respond to today’s 71 million internally displaced persons.
When: Wednesday 16 August
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Online
To Attend
AP4D Dialogue | A whole-of-nation approach to international policy
At the 2023 Shangri-La Dialogue Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that “a whole-of-nation effort” was required to uphold and pursue Australia’s interests, echoing the Defence Strategic Review’s recommendation of a “whole-of-nation approach to security”. But while it has crept into Australia’s foreign policy discourse, the ‘whole-of-nation’ concept now needs to be defined and substantiated. What does it encompass, and how can it be implemented?
The interactive dialogue will explore the contribution of actors outside the Commonwealth government to Australia’s international engagement. We want to hear from those with experience in the ‘non-conventional’ foreign policy space, including but not limited to business, civil society, education, cultural institutions, and state and territory governments.
Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue
When: Tuesday 1 August 2023
Time: 1 – 2pm AEST
Where: Online via Zoom
To Attend
Oxfam virtual gathering on the Voice
Oxfam invites you to an online community gathering to learn more about the Voice Referendum.
Together with special guest Thomas Mayo and Narelda Jacobs as the MC, we will talk about why constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice to Parliament is a crucial step on the path to creating a better future.
Who: Oxfam
When: Wednesday 9 August 2023
Time: 7 – 8pm AEST
Where: Online via Zoom
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 |
| 1 August | 1pm – 2pm | AP4D Dialogue | A whole-of-nation approach to international policy |
| 4 August | 12:30pm – 1:30pm | Register to attend: Code changes and the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme |
| 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.