The Weekly
CEO Top of Mind
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
The recent military attack by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) into the densely crowded urban refugee camp of Jenin, highlights the pressure on civilians in conflict by armed actors: Death in Jenin: Israel’s biggest attack in the West Bank in 20 years is down to Netanyahu’s political weakness – here’s why (theconversation.com). Frustrated Palestinian youths hiding weapons and using them against the IDF are viewed as resistance fighters by many Palestinians under the 57-year-old Israeli military occupation of the West Bank. The Israeli government brands them as terrorists and has a shoot to kill policy. Regardless of whose point of view you use to look at it, the use of air strikes, soldiers in full kit, heavily armed and shooting into densely populated urban areas, and the tearing up of roads, water and sanitation by bulldozers used by the IDF is unacceptable.
If Australia’s support to Israel means anything, it must be to impress upon Israel to uphold the rule of law, respect of human rights and not risk the use of civilians as collateral in pursuit of military objectives.
I am grateful for having had the opportunity to visit the West Bank for 10 days to visit Israeli and Palestinian NGOs on the back of a personal visit to Jerusalem. There are many people on both sides working to build peace, development and an adherence for human rights. However, the overall trends are dispiriting. Australia’s development program to the Palestinian Territories and other areas is currently under a DFAT review and ACFID will work with members to raise up our views.
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 Action
Annual Statistical Survey – Reminder
ACFID sent out the Statistical Survey template to all heads of agency and key contacts on the 14th June 2023 (Email subject: ACFID Statistical Survey 2023 – Template and guidance). We would like to remind members that the survey is due on 2 August 2023.
The data we are collecting through the statistical survey is crucial and ACFID is strongly encouraging members to complete it. By making the effort to complete the survey you help give visibility to your organisation’s efforts as well as provide a complete picture of the sector’s contribution.
If you have any questions about the survey, need your access or have any issues– please do not hesitate to contact ACFID on [email protected] or 02 8123 2250.
To Attend
Lunch and Learn – MYACFID and the CoPs platform 101
With ACFID’s recent IT transition and subsequent login issues, many members have held off creating new accounts and accessing benefits such as Communities of Practice. We apologise for the disruptions but are pleased to let you know that we are strongly encouraging staff to jump back in and take a look around. This session will give you an overview of the features you can access and how to make it more user friendly!
This session will benefit anyone wanting to engage with ACFID, and we highly recommend at least one person from each organisation join us for this overview. Bring your lunch and list of questions!!!!
Who: ACFID
When: Thursday 27 July 2023
Time: 12 – 1pm AEST
Where: Online
To Note
New Development Policy
We are excited to announce that we’re planning an event along with other members in the sector to provide our response to the new International Development Policy. Event details will formally be announced following the launch of the Policy and will take place 2-3 weeks after the Policy drops. If you’re thinking about upcoming travel budgets and your next trip to Canberra, please keep the event in mind.
To Attend
Development sector workshop: DFAT’s upcoming Disability Equity and Rights strategy
DFAT is soon to develop a new Disability Equity and Rights strategy that will direct their investments in building disability equity across international development, human rights promotion, and broader foreign policy for a number of years to come. This strategy follows the internationally renowned first two strategies DFAT implemented on disability inclusion, titled Development for All, that together spanned over a decade. The upcoming third strategy marks a shift from language of ‘inclusion’ to ‘equity’ and is an opportunity to drive a more ambitious disability rights and equity agenda across Australia’s international engagements.
Please join us on Tuesday 8 August from 11 to 12:30pm (Melbourne/Canberra time) for a virtual workshop on the upcoming new strategy co-hosted by the Australian Disability Development Consortium (ADDC), CBM Australia and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). The webinar 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. We look forward to hearing from you as you share your insights and ideas at the workshop on how Australia’s development program can be more ambitious and drive greater equitable outcomes.
The session will be held virtually via Zoom with live captioning and Auslan interpretation available. Register for the webinar here.
To Note
International Gender Equality Strategy
DFAT consultations on the new International Gender Equality Strategy are underway and a call for written submissions like to follow the release of the new International Development Policy. Input to the Strategy is being coordinated and led through Gender Equality Community of Practice. Please reach out to Brigid O’Farrell if you have any questions on the process or would like to be involved: [email protected].
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 |
| 27 July | 12 – 1pm | Lunch and Learn – MYACFID and the CoPs platform 101 |
| 8 August | 11 – 12:30pm | Development sector workshop: DFAT’s upcoming Disability Equity and Rights strategy |
| 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
“The failure to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative is a blow to global food security. Ukraine and Russia are the world’s two main breadbaskets. This deal opened vital export routes from Ukraine that had frozen when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, supporting at least 25 countries in Africa and the Middle East to import food staples via Black Sea ports, which otherwise would have been blockaded by Russia. Many of these countries are amidst a global hunger crisis and on the brink of famine. This will adversely impact millions in countries most vulnerable to severe hunger, like Afghanistan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen. It will also affect Lebanon and Tunisia, which face severe economic challenges. Not renewing the Black Sea Grain Initiative will lead to further food price inflation and scarcity, proving catastrophic for people around the world and cost thousands of lives.”