The Weekly

This week, my focus is firmly on the important milestones and opportunities that sit before us as a sector. First, our AGM papers will be issued this Friday. I want to call on all members to ensure your teams are across these materials ahead of our General Meeting on 5 November. The AGM is one of the most significant moments in our governance calendar, and preparation is key if we are to continue leading with clarity and confidence.

Earlier this week, we hosted the AI Learning Pathways session in partnership with Infoxchange and our Data Governance Community of Practice. This was a highly practical and engaging introduction to the Asia-Pacific Nonprofit AI Learning Community and the resources available to build literacy and capability in this fast-evolving space. Thank you to everyone who participated. Your energy and curiosity demonstrate the commitment of our sector to harnessing new tools responsibly and effectively.

As you know, the election process for ACFID’s President is now underway, with Virginia Hausegger standing as a candidate. Members will receive more information shortly as part of the AGM materials. I want to thank all of you in advance for engaging thoughtfully in this important process of leadership renewal.

Looking outward, we are preparing for an all-member engagement with DFAT later this month. This will be an important opportunity for us to strengthen our collective voice and engage directly on issues shaping Australia’s development and humanitarian agenda. Please watch this space for further details.

Today, ACFID is proud to be represented at Admiralty House in Sydney for the International Day of the Girl, hosted by the Governor General and organised by Plan International Australia. This is an important moment to celebrate the leadership, resilience, and rights of girls globally, something that sits at the heart of our sector’s mission.

Next Monday, I will be in Melbourne convening members for a session with Minister for International Development Anne Aly. I am looking forward to her address and the opportunity for members to engage directly with the Minister. I will also take the chance to visit member organisations while in the city, and I thank all of you who have registered. Your strong attendance shows the value of these conversations for our sector.

Finally, for those who have yet to register for the ACFID National Conference in November, now is the time. ​Registration details are here​.

To Attend

ACFID 2026 – 2031 Strategic Planning: CEO Engagement Sessions

ACFID is developing its new 5 year strategic plan and we want all of our members to add your voice to shape our priorities.

We will be doing this as part of our CEO networking events in November. Two of these will be in-person meetings and one will be online. We are hoping that CEOs will be able to attend one of these three events.

Please hold the following dates in your diaries:

• Melbourne Member CEOs: 24 November 6PM – 8PM (venue TBD)
• Sydney Member CEOs: 20 November 6PM – 8 PM (venue TBD)
• Online option for all CEOs: 21 November 10 AM – 12 PM (Teams meeting)

We will send more details in near future but please mark your diaries now!

To Attend

The ACFID National Conference 2025 is fast approaching.

To Attend

Chris Sidoti, UN Commission of Inquiry into the Occupied Palestinian Territories- Genocide Report

You are invited to come and hear from an Australian prominent lawyer and human rights expert, Chris Sidoti, who co-authored the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory’s report titled “Legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”. In this report, the Commission found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This will be an opportunity to hear from Chris about the report and its findings, the obligations on states to act, and to ask questions. 

Professor Chris Sidoti: Chris Sidoti is a Commissioner on the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. He has contributed to human rights in Australia and internationally over many decades, through national human rights institutions, NGOs and United Nations human rights mechanisms. He was a member of the UN Human Rights Council’s Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar from 2017 to 2019, and Australian Human Rights Commissioner from 1995-2000.

This is a members only event. Please feel able to share the link amongst your organisation, but not to people beyond.

Who: Chris Sidoti, UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory

When: 12-1pm, Wednesday, October 8

Where: virtual

Please register through this link, and you will receive the event information from ACFID events.

To Attend

AI Discussion Group within Data Governance CoP

To Attend

DevEd 2025 Conference

Consultants

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Food for Thought