The Weekly
This week, I attended the first 2025 meeting of the ACFID Climate Policy and Practice Community (CPPC) which focused on Policy and Advocacy (any Member is welcome to join this Community of Practice via the MyACFID signup on our website!). Dr Cameron Hill from ANU led an insightful session on how shifting geopolitics are affecting aid and climate finance, and what this means for INGOs and the Australian development sector.
Next week, ACFID and the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA) will host an in-conversation with Dr Mohammed Mustafa and Dr Mohammed Awad about their recent volunteer work in Gaza. A couple ACFID Members are linked to this work.The event will be held on Tuesday 22 April, from 4:00 to 5:00pm and offer an opportunity for first-hand reflections on the dire situation in Gaza. To register and learn more, please check the sections below.
Please note that there are just a few days left to nominate for our Board vacancies – information about this is below.
Wishing you a restful and refreshing Easter holiday break!
To Note
Eligibility for ACFID Board Member nominations
Please be aware that nominees for election to the Board should be CEOs of Full Member agencies that are financial. In line with our constitution, the person must be nominated by TWO Full Members that are also financial, one of which must be the member for which the individual is a representative. Nomination forms can be accessed below and should be submitted by 5 pm, 23 April 2025. Please refer any questions to the Business Director, Raewyn Lans, at [email protected] or you can contact Matthew Maury at [email protected]u
- Access the Vice President Nomination Form
- Access the Board Director Nomination Form
To Attend
ACFID & PANZMA: in-conversation with Dr Mohammed Mustafa & Dr Mohammed Awad
ACFID and the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical association (PANZMA) to invite you to an in-conversation briefing between Matthew Maury, ACFID’s Interim CEO and Dr Mohammed Awad and Dr Mohammed Mustafa to share their experiences volunteering in Gaza.
Emergency physician, Dr Mustafa, who has recently returned from Gaza, and has been prominent in global news and on social media sharing what he experienced in Gaza’s hospitals, including Al Ahli Hospital, the last fully functioning hospital in northern Gaza, which was targeted just this week. Dr Awad is a neurosurgeon who visited Gaza in March, mostly treating patients with brain tumours or spinal conditions that had been left untreated during the war, as well as people who had experienced gunshots to head or spine.
This briefing is limited to the ACFID membership, DFAT officials and invited parliamentarians and their offices. There will be an opportunity for Q&A.
Where: virtually
When: Tuesday 22nd April, 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Register here
To Note
ANU National Security Podcast: Aid, development, and Australia’s national security: why it matters now more than ever
Listen to Melissa Conley Tyler, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue and Mira Suslistiyanto unpack why development is critical to Australia’s diplomacy and security outlook. The episode can be found here.
To Note
Development Intelligence Lab “The Intel” The 2025 federal election. What are competing visions for Australian aid?
This week, the Development Intelligence Lab asked three experts to take a look at the competing views that politicians, policymakers and the public have on aid. Take a read here.
To Attend
ACFID CEO Members Summit: Shaping the Future Together
ACFID is excited to invite member CEOs to a dynamic one-day summit on 13 June at La Trobe University, Melbourne. In response to the widespread and significant changes in the way global aid is being conceptualised, funded, and delivered, this event will provide a vital space for members to reflect, strategise, and collaborate on the future of our sector.
The day will feature expert speakers exploring key global trends and sector-specific challenges, as well as structured discussions to support collaboration and strategic thinking.
Don’t miss this opportunity to consider with your peers the issues which will shape the future of your organisation and the wider work of the Australian international development.
Date: Friday 13 June
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne
Audience: ACFID member CEOs (1 participant per organisation)
Registration here
To Attend
Small Member Forum
CEOs of ACFID’s smaller agencies are invited to attend a Small Member Forum on 20 June. This virtual forum is designed specifically for smaller ACFID members, recognising the unique challenges and opportunities they face. The session will provide space to connect with peers, hear from experts, and explore the implications of global shifts on smaller agencies.
The Forum complements the in-person ACFID Summit and is open to all small member agencies, whether or not they are attending the Summit.
When: Friday 20 June
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Where: Online
Audience: ACFID member CEOs from small organisations
Register here.
To Action
ACFID Conference 2025 – Call Out for Photos!
As we prepare for the 2025 ACFID National Conference on November 5th and 6th in Canberra, we want to showcase the impactful work of our members. If your organization has recent images or photography that highlight your work in development and humanitarian action, we invite you to share them with us!
These images will be featured as part of the conference and will help drive the theme “Driving Transformation in Development and Humanitarian Action.”
Please send your photos to [email protected] by 17 April. We look forward to seeing your contributions!
To Attend
Last chance to register – Connecting ACFID members and Philanthropy: Health sector needs
Does your agency work in the health sector? Have you or your partners been impacted by the recent disruptions in global funding? Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with philanthropic members of the Australian International Development Network (AIDN).
ACFID and AIDN are co-hosting a series of four webinars in May to connect NGOs and philanthropic supporters to address urgent challenges resulting from disruptions in global funding.
- Health – Thursday, 1 May
- Gender and Children – Thursday, 8 May
- Humanitarian Response and Disasters – Thursday, 15 May
- Sustaining Local Capacity – Thursday, 22 May
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 PM (AEST, virtual)
ACFID members are invited to share specific examples of projects impacted by recent donor cuts, and identify opportunities where philanthropic support could make a significant difference. Register now to express your interest in participating.
Registrations close one week before each webinar. One participant per organisation. ACFID will contact registered organisations to coordinate ACFID member participation. For inquiries, please contact Emily Moreton at [email protected].
Off-grid renewable energy program grants are now open!
ACFID members are encouraged to apply for the new REnew Pacific grant round to deliver off-grid renewable energy solutions in remote and rural communities across the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste.
This Call for Proposals seeks solutions that will:
- Increase access to reliable and affordable off-grid renewable energy in rural and remote communities
- Improve lives, livelihoods and climate resilience of remote communities, especially women and people with disabilities.
A number of ACFID members and regional NGOs have been successful for REnew Pacific grants in previous rounds, so we encourage members to apply.
Final deadline for submission of concept notes is April 28, 2025.
More information on how to apply can be found here
To Action
ACFID Conference – Save the Date
The 2025 ACFID National Conference has been confirmed for the 5th and 6th of November in Canberra. More details will be shared soon, please stay tuned.
To Attend
ACFID Safeguarding CoP
The ACFID Safeguarding Community of Practice is having its first meeting of the year next week. Amongst other agenda items, they will be joined by guest speaker, Dr Jasmine Westendorf, who will be presenting her latest research into sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian settings.
Date: Thursday, April 10th
Time: 1:00 – 4:30 pm
To attend: find joining details in the Communities Platform.
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To Action
Racial Justice COP – Affinity Group (for ACFID members of colour) – What does ‘intersectionality’ mean to us?
The word ‘intersectionality’ is often used. Let’s explore what it means to us personally, question some of assumptions, and look practically at how to operationalise that in the development sector.
- What does intersectionality mean to us?
- Who benefits from intersectionality?
- How do I personally benefit from intersectionality?
- How do I apply intersectionality in my everyday work?
When:Tuesday, April 15
Time: 2pm-3pm AEDT
Where: Online via Zoom. Please sign into the COP platform to access the link.
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Jobs
Consultants
Food for thought
With global conflict escalating and civilian protections eroding,” writes ANU’s Amra Lee and AP4D’s Grant Wyeth, “Australia has a strategic opportunity to assert leadership in upholding international humanitarian law.”
“For political leaders and policymakers, there is a need to understand this critical juncture and all the tools Australia has at its disposal to help protect civilians and promote respect for international humanitarian law in a shifting world order.”
Their article draws on recent AP4D consultations with more than 70 experts looking at how Australia can promote compliance with international humanitarian law and Protection of Civilians. Click here to explore the paper and watch a recording of the launch here.
Australia’s Role in a Shifting World Order: Stepping up to Protect Civilians and International Law
Australian Outlook | Amra Lee and Grant Wyeth
Upcoming Events
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Date |
Event |
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22 April |
ACFID & PANZMA: in-conversation with Dr Mohammed Mustafa & Dr Mohammed Awad |
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1,8,15 & 22 May |
Webinar series connecting ACFID members and Philanthropy – Health |
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1 May |
AP4D Webinar | Global (In)security: What does it mean for Australia? |
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13 June |
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20 June |
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5 & 6 November |
2025 ACFID National Conference |