The Weekly

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

The continuing bombardment of civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, and siege of northern Gaza and denial of humanitarian aid is a grave violation of human rights. Experts have pointed to war crimes being committed.

Earlier this year, ACFID joined with faith leaders and health experts in publicly calling for targeted sanctions on the Israeli government and military officials implementing policies that deny humanitarian assistance as it is illegal under the Geneva Conventions. The escalation of the conflict into Lebanon and subsequent application of further Australian sanctions against Iran, has caused us to publicly question this week the lack of proportion and accountability being applied to combatants.

Against this backdrop of conflict in the Middle East and Sudan, the Government has launched a new Humanitarian Policy.

We have welcomed this policy – the first since 2016 but called out the lack of additional resourcing and a reiterate the need for a doubling of the Humanitarian Emergency Fund which has remained at the same level of $150 million since FM Bishop was in office in 2018.

I look forward to meeting many of you next week at ACFID’s National Conference and the AGM. This will be my final conference as CEO of ACFID, and I am grateful to have served its members.

Registrations for the ACFID Conference remain open until Sunday night, so book now!

To Note

ACFID Conference 2024: Reflections, Challenges, and Solidarity.

This year will be my sixth and final year of leading the curation of ACFID Conference and what a privilege it has been. From engaging insightful, inspirational and passionate people for us to learn from, to seeing the many familiar warm faces of our members, conference is the highlight of my year and a culmination of many months of hard work by the team here at ACFID.

Conference, like us all, went virtual in 2020 with four days of powerhouse speakers from across the Pacific as we joined with PIANGO and CID NZ for Oceania Connect. We remained virtual until last year, coming back together in The Roundhouse for the first time since 2019. And wow, is there something special about being together on beautiful Bidjigal and Gadigal Country, spending time re-connecting with peers.

What do we have in store for you this year? You will certainly be inspired, and there will likely be some uncomfortable moments too, but that’s when we know it’s something we need to pay attention to. From the power of solidarity, to questioning resilience, to challenging our thinking about positive mining partnerships. Opening with a moving dance performance depicting the movement to higher ground of significant places for Pacific communities as sea levels rise, come join us, and reinvigorate your passion for the work that you do to make this world a better place.

Tickets on sale until Sunday night! Hope to see you there. 

From Rae Lans and the ACFID Conference Team

To Action

2024 ACFID Conference Masterclasses: Last Chance for 40% Off! 

To Note

Career Opportunity: Membership and Engagement Advisor – Applications Close Tomorrow!

Join ACFID as the Membership and Engagement Advisor! This Canberra-based role offers flexible working arrangements and the chance to lead member engagement and key events like the ACFID National Conference. Applications close 5 pm (AEST) on Friday, 18 October 2024. View the full position description and apply here

To  Attend

ACFID Connect: Ethical Pratices in the collection and use of images

Date: Tuesday 29th October
Time: 11:00- 12:30pm
To register please provide your details here
Panellists: Ellyse McCallum (Baptist World Aid), Caitline Rowe (World Vision Australia), Rob McKechnie (Plan International Australia)
 
Join us for this ACFID Connect in a deep dive into the ethics of using images in our sector. For those of you that work in the fields of communications, fundraising, media, privacy or marketing, this session will be a chance to hear from sector experts on good practice for the collection and use of images as well as reflections on emerging issues related to privacy, informed consent, and the changing digital landscape.

To Action

ACFID Consolidated Appeal – Lebanon

ACFID has stood up an consolidated appeal in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Our appeals page can be found here. Our media release can be found here. The appeal has been picked up in the Herald Sun, News.Com, Yahoo News and other outlets. If your agency is responding in Lebanon and wishes to be added to this appeal, please contact Naomi Brooks, ACFID’s Humanitarian Lead at [email protected] 

To Action

ACFID’s COP29 Working Group

ACFID is setting up a temporary COP29 Working Group to cover the period from October to December 2024. This is an email group and WhatsApp group, to share information and on-the-ground updates from sector colleagues who are attending the UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, this year. Please email  Will Devine at [email protected] to indicate your interest in joining the COP29 Working Group.

To Action

Take Action! Email your MP to increase foreign aid at the next election

Thanks to all those who have sent out emails to their supporters for the Safer World for All campaign. Make sure you send your own email as well to your local MP asking for an increase of aid to 1% of the federal budget at the next election. You can do that here: here

Please be in touch with Naomi Brooks with any questions – [email protected]

To Note

2024 ACFID Conference Masterclasses: Last Chance for 40% Off!

Media Interview & Crisis Communication Masterclass

Learn to communicate clearly and confidently under pressure. Gain skills in handling live interviews, tough questions, and crisis communication.
Date: 22 October
Location: Roundhouse, UNSW, Randwick
Register here

40% off: 2024MCLASS40

Masterclass on Psychosocial Safety

For leaders in Australian NGOs: Learn to manage psychosocial risks and comply with workplace safety regulations.
Date: 22 October 2024
Location: Roundhouse, UNSW, Randwick
Register here

40% off: 2024MCLASS40

To Attend

Protection of Civilians Course 20-21 November 2024 at QT Hotel Canberra

To Action

Australian Global Health Film Festival 22nd October – 8th November

Featured Jobs

Upcoming Events: