The Weekly
CEO Top of Mind
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
ACFID has warmly welcomed the Albanese Government’s decision to allocate a further $29 million towards famine alleviation in the Horn of Africa and Middle East. “Contributing $29 million to where it is needed most in the world is the result of dedicated campaigning on the part of the aid sector, and a move that we welcome wholeheartedly,”
Following almost 12 months of discussions with ACFID’s members, the 5 yearly review of the ACFID Code of Conduct is rapidly approaching the finalisation of proposed changes. The ACFID Board will meet next week to review these changes in light of the feedback provided to date. It’s my privilege to lead a member-based body that’s so invested in upholding the highest standards of development practice, which has been proven again via this process. Incoming proposed changes to the Code will set new standards for how ACFID’s members work on the most important issues facing our sector including locally-led development, climate action and racial justice. In particular, I draw your attention to new proposed changes for ACFID’s members engaged in humanitarian action, requiring participation in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, an initiative led by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response aimed at stopping the movement of perpetrators of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment within our agencies. The scheme has already conducted 86,000 checks, with 230 applications being stopped at the final stage of recruitment. I believe ACFID’s members signing on to a scheme of this kind will constitute a powerful contribution to the scheme achieving the scale necessary to be effective in stemming the movement of perpetrators within Australian organisations and I commend ACFID’s members on the commitment they have shown in helping ACFID advance on this issue. There still time to have your feedback on the proposed changes captured, and you can do so via survey link here.
Finally, conference EOIs are closing shortly! Please see the information below about how you can be part of the conference, which will be face to face for the first time since 2019.
To Action
One week left before EOIs for Concurrent Sessions are due! – 16 June
Don’t miss your opportunity to share your innovative work with the sector!
The two-day ACFID Conference program includes space for both virtual and face-to-face concurrent sessions that advance the conference theme by exploring topics, issues or bold ideas for delegates to learn about, discuss and debate.
Concurrent sessions are an important platform to delve deeper into specific aspects of the Conference theme through formats which promote participation of delegates. Expressions of Interest for Concurrent Sessions close on Friday 16th June.
To Read
ACNC welcomes further fundraising red tape reduction in Queensland
In another big win for red tape reduction, charities registered with the ACNC who plan to fundraise in Queensland no longer need to register separately with the Queensland Office of Fair Trading.
‘Anything that can be done to streamline processes will be a welcome relief for those charities, who can direct more of their time and resources to the people who rely on them,’ ACNC Commissioner Sue Woodward said.
To Attend
Save the Date: Policy & Advocacy Team Member Visits
Members of ACFID’s Policy & Advocacy Team will be meeting with members in Melbourne from 3-5 July and in Sydney from 5-7 July to discuss policy & advocacy strategies emerging from the upcoming New Development Policy.
Member Workshops will be held in the afternoon from 1pm – 4.30pm on 4 July in Melbourne, and 6 July in Sydney, followed by drinks. Please come and attend the drinks from 4.30pm onwards even if you cannot make the workshop to say hi.
On the 3rd July & 6th of July, we will be arranging a series of 1-1 catchups with colleagues for our member organisations.
Please register via the form here to indicate interest in both the workshop and if you would like to arrange 1-1 catchups with the Policy & Advocacy team.
We look forward to catching up and will be organising visits with members shortly!
To Attend
AP4D Symposium | Enhancing Australia-France Coordination in the Indo-Pacific
On Monday 19 June the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D) will launch a new paper: ‘What does it look like for Australia to Enhance Coordination with France in the Indo-Pacific’. The paper is the result of five months of consultations with more than 50 experts from Australia, France and across the region and outlines a vision and pathways for how Australia can capitalise on the current positive trajectory of relations and build a constructive relationship with France over the medium to long term.
Who: AP4D
When: Monday 19 June
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm (AEST)
Where: Online via Zoom – Register here.
To Attend
ACFID Connect Webinar Series
Practical Steps to Integrate Climate Action: Starting the Journey
ACFID invites members to the second part of the webinar series. Aimed particularly at ACFID members who are looking to start or step up their climate action, this series will include foundational information, case studies, practical steps, participant engagement, and linkage to resources.
Attend Webinar 2 on Wednesday 14 June, 1pm – 3pm
To Attend
Save the date for the Momentum event in Canberra
On behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Secretariat, Cross Sector Partnership Initiatives (XSPI) and Accenture Australia, we would like to invite you and members of your ACFID network to attend an NCP Momentum event.
Further details of the expert panellists and an outline of the event will be provided early next week. You are also most welcome to forward this invitation to your network as we would like the NGO community. This special event will be attended by senior business and academic leaders, members of the Diplomatic community and senior DFAT officials.
When: Tuesday 27 June 2023
Time: 3:45pm – 7:30pm
Where: Canberra and online.
Previously in The Weekly:
- Proposed changes to the ACFID Code – Read more on the Code Review webpage.
- ACFID National Conference 2023 Concurrent Sessions Expressions of Interest – Read more here and download the expression of interest pack here!
- 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 |
| 14 June | 12pm – 1pm | Allies For Uluru – Online Voice Town Hall |
| 14 June | 1pm – 3pm | ACFID Connect – Practical Steps to Integrate Climate Action Part 2 |
| 19 June | 4pm – 5pm | AP4D Symposium | Enhancing Australia-France Coordination in the Indo-Pacific |
| 29 June | 11am – 1pm | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
| 3 – 7 July | Policy & Advocacy Team Melbourne & Sydney Member Visits | |
| 12 July | 2pm – 4pm | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
| 30 August | 9:30am – 11:30am | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
| 18-19 October | ACFID National Conference 2023 (Sydney) | |
| 16 November | 2pm – 4pm | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
Food for Thought
The economic and social future of Timor-Leste’s people is increasingly driven by the need for jobs at home and labour mobility programs abroad. More than simply providing remittances, mobility programs improve skills and human capital. AP4D writes for Australian Outlook on how Australia can partner with Timor-Leste on economic diversification, drawing on a recent options paper.