The Weekly

CEO Top of Mind

Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?

ACFID’s Position on the Voice

Six years ago, the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart was delivered to the Australian people. In 2017, ACFID celebrated its release at the ACFID Conference with a moving speech from Professor Megan Davis, co-chair of the Uluru Dialogue. The Sir Ronald Wilson, Human Rights Award was also presented to the Referendum Council in recognition of their outstanding and collaborative consultative process on constitutional reform and this was received by Pat Anderson AO, co-chair of the Uluru Dialogue. At ACFID’s AGM in 2017, ACFID Council passed a Resolution supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart, calling on all NGOs to work to support the elements of The Voice. As shared some months back in our social media, ACFID’s Board accepts the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Australian Constitution. We are in support of the Yes campaign. Please take some time to re-read the Uluru Statement as you make an important decision for the future of Australia on Saturdays referendum.

Virtual Registrations closing soon for ACFID National Conference 2023

The ACFID National Conference 2023 is just days away. If you missed the chance to register for the in-person experience, fear not! In-person registration is now closed, but we’re delighted to announce that virtual registrations are open until Monday 5:00 pm.

Hurry and secure your virtual tickets before the deadline. View our program and register here.

To Action/Read

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

Humanitarian Consolidated Appeals- Israel/Palestine conflict & Afghanistan Earthquake

ACFID is deeply concerned at the latest outbreak of conflict in Israel and Palestine, as well as multiple earthquakes in Afghanistan. We continue to monitor the situation closely. ACFID is launching consolidated appeals for both countries. If your agency has an appeal launched and wants to be on the consolidated list, please submit your appeal via this form. If you have any questions, please contact Natasha Chabbra, Humanitarian Policy & Advocacy Lead at [email protected]

Humanitarian Assistance in response to Afghanistan earthquake

The Australian Government will provide $1 million to support the people of Afghanistan following the deadly earthquake which struck Herat Province. The earthquake has exacerbated the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where 29.2 million people are already in desperate need.

Australia’s assistance will be directed through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Read the Government’s announcement on social media here.

Media Release: Australian International Aid and Humanitarian Sector Launches Consolidated Appeal for Sudan

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) has launched a consolidated appeal to support urgent humanitarian relief efforts in Sudan and neighbouring South Sudan, where many millions of people are affected by violent conflict.

Read ACFID’s media release in full here. You can access ACFID’s appeal page here. If your organisation is running an appeal for Sudan and would like to be included on the consolidated list, please contact Will Devine, Policy & Advocacy Officer at [email protected]

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 Read

Media Release: Global Union leader Sharan Burrow to headline ACFID Conference

The annual national conference of the Australian Council For International Development (ACFID) will this year feature former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation Sharan Burrow as a headline speaker.  Read ACFID’s media release in full here.

To Read

‘No alternative’ to voice, Pat Dodson says in last-ditch appeal ahead of referendum

The Labor senator appeared at the National Press Club remotely from Broome on Wednesday to make a last-ditch appeal to Australians voters to entrench the advisory body to the parliament and executive government in the constitution. ACFID accepts the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, and encourages members to sign up to any campaign events as we approach polling day via the Yes23 website. Read the article here.

To Read

COP 31 Base Camp

Impact X in partnership with the Community Council for Australia, The Climate Reality Project – Australia & Pacific, Climate Action Network Australia and WWF-Australia is proud to host COP 31 Base Camp.

COP 31 Base Camp will bring together more than 150 community leaders and practitioners from across Australia and the Pacific to begin shaping a potentially transformative COP for all.

Come along to:

• learn how climate COPs work from Howard Bamsey, Honorary Professor, Australian National University hear from Frances Reupena, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Natural
• Resources & the Environment, Samoa be part of facilitated roundtable discussions to shape thinking on “Designing a Transformative COP 31” across Indigenous Inclusion, Community Led
• Resilience, Climate Finance & Investment, Industry, Nature Positive and Beyond Fossil Fuels.

This is your chance to build capabilities to engage meaningfully in COP. Register now.

To Read

“Secretary-General’s remarks to the press on the situation in the Middle East” Antonio Guterres

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres spoke to the press about the horrific situation in Israel and Palestine. In particular he noted that “Israel must see its legitimate needs for security materialized – and Palestinians must see a clear perspective for the establishment of their own state realized. Only a negotiated peace that fulfills the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis, together with their security alike – the long-held vision of a two-State solution, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements – can bring long-term stability to the people of this land and the wider Middle East region.” Read the transcript in full here.

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