The Weekly
CEO Top of Mind
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
It was fantastic to catch up with so many enthusiastic, passionate minds in the aid and development sector this week – be they the new, fresh minds in the Introduction to the Sector Workshop in Melbourne, or the seasoned veterans at the CEO dinner. Stay tuned for our Sydney Introduction to the Sector and CEO dinner soon.
We are watching closely for the imminent release of the Government’s Development Policy which will be a framework for the Australian aid program for many years; and the accompanying DFAT Capability Review, which will propose resourcing and change to DFAT’s ways of working. The ACFID Code of Conduct 5-year review is testing important new measures in the Code around localisation, climate change and racial justice; as well as aligning with ANCP, and we look forward to seeing you at agency consultations on the proposals next week
To Note
Productivity Commission Inquiry into Philanthropy
ACFID has lodged a submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Philanthropy. It covers key issues that impact the sector, such as FBT, planned payroll giving, cybersecurity and dollar-dollar matching.
To Note
Cyclone Mocha
TACFID is extremely concerned about the devastating humanitarian impacts of Cyclone Mocha, which recently made landfall in Myanmar and Bangladesh. We are closely watching the situation and are coordinating through the HRG with DFAT.
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.
The webinars will build on ACFID’s Climate Action Framework and recent research (Integrating climate change action across the Australian international development sector: Setting the Scene for ANGOs and Enablers of Best Practice), and support ACFID members to genuinely consider climate action in line with the direction of the sector.
The sessions will be facilitated by Anna Gero and Dr Tazrina Chowdhury from the University of Technology Sydney – Institute of Sustainable Futures, who co-authored the papers.
Webinar 1: Wednesday 7 June, 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Webinar 2: Wednesday 14 June, 1 pm – 3 pm
Please note: as this is a two-part series, it is strongly recommended that participants attend both sessions.
Register here.
To Attend
Save the Date: Climate Policy & Practice Community (CPPC) meeting
This 1.5-hour meeting is designed for organisations with a more active role in climate policy and programming, as well as those exploring how best to engage in the sector and incorporate climate into their work. Agenda to be shared shortly, but it promises to be topical and varied, and will include a discussion on how best to take the CPPC forward this year.
Who: Climate Policy & Practice Community (CPPC)
When: Monday 5 June
Time: 1.30 – 3.00 pm
Where: Online – more details to come.
To Attend
AP4D Symposium | Women, Peace and Security in the Pacific
On Wednesday 31 May the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D) will launch a new paper: ‘What does it look like for Australia to be a Strategic Partner on Women, Peace and Security with the Pacific’. The paper is the result of three months of consultations with almost 40 experts from Australia and the region and outlines a vision and pathways for how Australia can work with the Pacific to progress the WPS agenda.
Who: AP4D
When: Wednesday 31 May
Time: 10-11am (AEST)
Where: Online via Zoom – Register here.
To Attend
Save the Date: Policy & Advocacy Team Member Visits
Members of ACFID’s Policy & Advocacy Team will be meeting with members from 3-7 July in both Melbourne and Sydney. We look forward to catching up and will be organising visits with members shortly!
To Attend
Understanding Race & Racism Workshops
ACFID has been very grateful for the overwhelming response to “Understanding Race & Racism Workshop” with HUE.
Yesterday’s session was thought-provoking, confronting (in a good way), and very fun!
ACFID is proud to stand by its resolution on race, diversity, and Australian NGOs. As such, all members interested will be offered this valuable training.
The additional workshops are:
- Thursday 29 June 2023; 11am-1pm AEST. Please register here.
- Wednesday 12 July 2023; 2pm-4pm AEST. Please register here.
- Thursday 30 August 2023; 9.30am-11.30am AEST. Please register here.
- Thurs 16 November 2023, 2-4pm AEST. Please register here. (Originally this date was marked for HUE’s Deconstructing Whiteness workshop)
Each workshop will have a minimum participation level of 15 attendees, and a maximum participation level of 35 attendees. Please register only if you can attend the full session!
There is pre-reading required and for maximum value, we don’t encourage last minute switching unless people have time to do the pre-reading.
Please send only 1-4 representatives from your organisation, so that all members have the opportunity to participate. If spots are still open, we will contact you to invite any other staff members interested.
HUE also are conducting public workshops in September, and this is their suite of workshops offered for further and/or organisational training.
We are also collecting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Hue’s next workshop “Deconstructing Whiteness” – a session exploring whiteness culture and how it shapes our values, ways of life and how we understand the world, and its structural impacts in our workplaces.
Please note that these workshops will not be recorded due to the sensitive nature of these discussions.
To Attend
First Nations Foreign Policy
Did you miss out on the opportunity to attend the incredible ACFID Connect two-part webinar series on First Nations Foreign Policy with thought leaders in the area, Melissa Conley Tyler and Julia Ballangarry?
You can now catch up on both
To Action
ACFID National Conference 2023
ACFID is excited and proud to announce that this year, the ACFID National Conference will return to an in-person event, to be held at the UNSW Roundhouse on 18 & 19 October 2023.
The theme for this year is “Global Development 2.0: disruptive dynamics, inspired ideas”
The two-day 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.
To Attend
Code Review – final member workshops
Join us for the second round of consultation workshops to finalise the proposed changes to the Code.
| Sydney (face to face) | Melbourne (face to face) | Online |
| Tuesday 23 May | Thursday 25 May | Tuesday 30 May |
| 9:30am – 4pm | 9:30am – 4pm | 1pm – 3pm |
| Register here | Register here | Register here |
We expect that this will be the last round of consultation workshops and encourage all members to participate. Further details on venues and materials for the workshop will be provided in mid-May.
To Action
Nominations open: Committee for Development Cooperation
The Committee for Development Cooperation (CDC) is seeking nominations for one ACFID Board appointed NGO representative to serve on the Committee from 1 July 2023, until 30 June 2025. Meeting at least three times per year, the role of the CDC is crucial in relation to the continuous improvement of accreditation, and as both an advisory and consultative body for professional development of the Australian NGO community.
Nominations close at 5pm Tuesday 23 May 2023. Please contact Emily Moreton, CDC Secretariat, with any questions at [email protected].
Previously in The Weekly:
Read ACFID’s comprehensive analysis of the 2023-24 Federal Budget
- ACFID anticipates the release of the Government’s new Development Policy, led by DFAT in the coming weeks. Read our submissions below.
ACNC Related Party Reporting Changes
From the 2023 Annual Information Statement (AIS), all charities except for Basic Religious Charities will be asked to report their related party transactions to the ACNC, due to changes announced in November 2021.
ACNC guidance on related party transactions has been updated and outlines how the new obligations apply to charities of different sizes.
The ACNC recommend charities keep their own register of related party transactions and we have a template to use for this purpose.
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time (AEST) | Event |
|
23 May |
9:30am – 4pm |
|
|
23 May |
5pm |
|
|
25 May |
9:30am – 4pm |
|
| 30 May | 1pm – 3pm | Code Review Workshop (online) |
| 31 May | 10am – 11am | AP4D Symposium | Women, Peace and Security in the Pacific |
| 5 June | 1:30pm – 3pm | Climate Policy & Practice Community (CPPC) meeting |
| 7 June | 1pm – 2:30pm | ACFID Connect – Practical Steps to Integrate Climate Action Part 1 |
| 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
Indigenous Voice: Getting ready to explain to the world if Australia votes “No”
Lowy Interpreter | Hugh Piper