The Weekly

CEO Top of Mind

Acting CEO Jocelyn Condon, what is at the top of your mind this week?

The ACFID Secretariat is absolutely buzzing with anticipation as we race towards the final few weeks of preparing for our first hybrid conference, and our first chance to physically gather together for this event since 2019. Nonetheless, we know our conference can only ever be as good as the members who turn out to support it. Next week is your final chance to register to join us face-to-face and I urge you to embrace this opportunity to meet with and celebrate your colleagues and our sector, to lift your gaze to hear about the future of global development, and to engage with your role in addressing the challenges ahead. On a personal note, I am keenly looking forward to our opening keynote address from former secretary of the International Council of Trade Unions, Sharan Burrow who has just returned to Australia. As a human rights advocate and champion of Australia’s role in a just transition, I know this will be the perfect way to set a powerful frame to a jam-packed program unpacking the future of technology, youth, feminists, advocacy and much more. For those of you who can, please stay on past the AGM to join us for networking drinks with your peers and a wonderful dinner and awards evening to follow. I look forward to seeing you there. Register here. 

ACFID awards members with a free Conference ticket for their submission in the 2023 Statistical Survey

To recognise the passion and energy found in the Australian International Aid Sector, ACFID have selected three members to receive a free two-day ticket to attend our National Conference (valued at $310) for their dedication of time and detail in completing the 2023 annual survey.

Here, Sight for All, Symbiosis International and The Nusatengarra Association will have to opportunity to contribute to discussions around the disruptive dynamics and inspired ideas driving global development 2.0, such as collaborations required to push systematic change, disruptions to funding models, emergent technology, and the application of traditional wisdom.

If you are interested in attending ACFID’s National Conference this year, please follow this link and register now: ACFID National Conference 2023

Development Practice Committee Nomination

Staff of ACFID member’s are invited to nominate for the Development Practice Committee (DPC).

The DPC is an expert advisory group where learning and development practitioners from the not-for-profit sector meet to provide advice to ACFID on key issues around development effectiveness. Nominations close 20 November 2023.  Read more about the vacancies here and the committee Terms of Reference here.

Climate Action Peer Learning Program

ACFID and its Development Practice Committee (DPC) are excited to announce a unique learning opportunity that will be available to members in the first half of 2024. The Climate Action Peer Learning Program will bring together small groups of members to share, learn, reflect and plan together for strengthening climate action within their organisations. To read more about this planned program go to Combatting Climate Change – ACFID. Expressions of Interest for members who would like to stay informed about the Program can be registered here

ACFID Community of Practice Convening Survey

ACFID is seeking input, particularly from current, past and potential future Convenors of our Communities of Practice (CoPs), to help shape our work with CoPs over the coming year. For anyone who has or is convening a CoP, or who has been involved in supporting an ACFID CoP, or is interested in taking on a Convening role in the future, we welcome you to complete this short survey by the end of September.

To Note

ACFID Board elections

Voting opens today for ACFID’s Board and Code of Conduct Committee elections. All member organisations’ CEOs will have received an email today with voter codes to be able to vote : www.myvote.com.au/acfid  If your CEO did not receive a voter code email, please contact [email protected] or 02 8123 2213. Voting closes Friday 13^th October, and results will be announced at the AGM.

To Attend

Implementation of the amended Code – member info session

Do you have questions about the proposed amendments to the ACFID Code and what it will mean for your organisation? Come along to hear an overview of the amendments to the Code and when they will be implemented. This session is aimed at staff and volunteers of ACFID members who are involved in their organisation’s reporting against the ACFID Code. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions of the ACFID Code team and provide input into the types of support and resources that will be most useful for their organisation.

When: Wednesday 8 November
Time: 2 – 3:30pm
Where: Online

Register here.

To Attend

Introduction to the Sector Workshop

ACFID invites member and non-member staff, board and other personnel who are new to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector to a one-day introductory workshop in Sydney. This participatory face-to-face event will include an overview of the history of international development and humanitarian action; an introduction to ACFID’s Code and role in the sector; guest speakers from a range of ACFID’s members; and, opportunities for networking and further learning. Free for small members. Contact [email protected] for more information.

When: Sydney, Friday 17 November
Time: 9am-5pm
Where: Sydney, location TBA

Register here.     

To Attend

Partnerships Brokering Course

This unique course facilitated by The Partnership Brokers Association, is aimed at developing confidence in brokering partnerships and managing the partnering process. It will be held in Canberra over 28 Nov – 01 Dec 23. If you are interested, please contact [email protected] as we have been offered a significant NGO discount for the first interested person! Scroll down to our further learning opportunities on our website here for more information. 

Australia’s International Gender Equality Strategy

Submissions to the International Gender Equality Strategy closed on Monday 18 September. Thank you to all who contributed to ACFID and the Gender COP’s joint submission to the Strategy. The submission can be accessed here.

Please contact Brigid O’Farrell ([email protected]) with any queries on the Strategy or ACFID’s work on gender equality more broadly.

To Attend

AP4D Dialogue | Strengthening Australia’s Indian Ocean Engagement

The Indian Ocean is central to global trade and connectivity and home to several key emerging economies. Yet despite its growing importance to Australia, the region is often overshadowed by the eastern half of the ‘Indo-Pacific’. When it is discussed the India relationship tends to dominate.

The interactive dialogue will explore how Australia can be an invested Indian Ocean stakeholder, contributing to regional stability and prosperity across all its tools of statecraft. With a particular focus on the northeast Indian Ocean, discussions will focus on Australia’s key interests in the region, the challenges and opportunities that exist, and how it can partner with Indian Ocean countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.

Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue
When: Thursday 5 October 2023
Time: 3 – 4pm AEDT
Where: Online via Zoom

Click here to register.

To Action

United Nations Code of Conduct for Digital Information Integrity

The United Nations is developing a Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms. It seeks to provide a concerted global response to information threats that is firmly rooted in human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and opinion and access to information.The voluntary Code will help guide Member States, digital platforms and other groups in their efforts to make the digital space more inclusive and safer for all.

As part of the UN’s consultation process on the Code of Conduct, individuals, groups, and organisations are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions through an online submission form on the proposed content of these principles and recommendations, as well as to make suggestions on methodologies for operationalising the principles. Submitted inputs may also raise new principles and/or recommendations.

The deadline for the online submission process will be 1 December 2023

For more information or to make a submission, click here.

To Action

Call for inputs on upcoming country visit to Australia by Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children

At the invitation of the Government of Australia, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh, will conduct an official visit to the country from 30 October to 10 November 2023, to assess the situation and the progress made in combating and preventing the sale and sexual exploitation of children in the light of international human rights norms and standards.

In preparation of the visit, the Special Rapporteur invites all interested individuals and organizations, including civil society organizations, activists, and academics, to provide input for the preparation of her visit.

The deadline for submissions is 20 October 2023

For more information click here.

To Attend

2023 Alfred Deakin Institute Oration

The Alfred Deakin Institute Oration is an annual oration delivered by a public leader on a topic related to cutting-edge research about citizenship, diversity, inclusion and globalisation that is undertaken at the Institute.

This year’s Oration, The power of aid: Australia’s international development program as a statecraft tool will be delivered by The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Minister for Defence Industry

This event is open to the public and FREE. Seats are limited, registration is essential. Click here to register.

To Read

Consultations open on legislation to improve the integrity of the charity sector.

The Australian Government has opened public consultations on proposed amendments to secrecy provisions which presently limit the ability of the charities commission to disclose investigations to the public. Public consultations will remain open until 16 October 2023. Read the Government’s media release here.

To Listen

Podcast: Humanitarian Conversations, hosted by Redr Australia

Humanitarian Conversations is a show about what it means to be a humanitarian in today’s world, hosted and produced by RedR Australia’s Sally Cunningham and Jill Farrar. Listen wherever you get your podcasts here.

To Read

No Woman Left Behind: Closing the Gender and Inclusion Gap in Eye Health

Produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Fred Hollows Foundation and UN Women, this policy brief provides evidence of gender disparities in eye health and highlights gender-related barriers to eye care access and utilization for women. Bringing women’s views and solutions to the forefront of discussions, the brief provides an opportunity to hear directly about the specific risks and challenges these women face, who is most at risk of being left behind, and how national partners and the international community can most effectively tailor policies and programmes to meet their needs and fulfil their rights. You can read the policy brief in full here.

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