The annual national conference of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) will this year feature the Secretary-General of ActionAid International, Arthur Larok and the European Union’s Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr. Gabriele Visentin as headline speakers.  

The conference will be held on the 23rd and 24th of October in Sydney and brings together members and delegates from across Australia to discuss the state of the global development sector including topics on humanitarian action, climate change and geopolitical instability.  

This year the theme is  Solidarity and Resilience: the power of the collective.  

Keynote speakers include:   

• His Excellency Mr. Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia speaking on geopolitical tensions, environmental threats, developmental disparities, and EU’s priorities in our region 

• Katherine Teh, Executive Chair of Spektrum Development speaking on development challenges on global political trends.   

• Anabel Cruz, Civil Society Co-Chair, Open Government Partnership Stee ring Committee speaking on government and civil society in fostering solidarity and collaboration.  

• Arthur Larok, Secretary General, ActionAid International sharing his extensive knowledge of social movements 

Other guests and speakers of note include:  

• The Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific 

• Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and Senator for NSW. 

• Melissa Conley-Tyler, Executive Director of the Asia–Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue 

• Dr Helen Durham AO, Honorary Professor at Melbourne Law School and CEO of RedR Australia 

• Adelina Kamal, Southeast Asian Women Peace Meditators Steering Committee Member 

• Malaka Shwaik, Associate Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of St Andrews 

Key highlights 

Resolutions:   

ACFID Council will vote on resolutions, which are agreed aspirations by Australian humanitarian and international development agencies that have been put up by individuals and/or organisations in 2024. In the past, resolutions have been passed on: locally-led and inclusive development (2022), for Australia to cease thermal coal exports (2019) and support of the Uluru Statement of the Heart (2017).   

Panel sessions:   

• Powering solidarity: What is Australia’s role in a global just energy transition? 

• Rethinking Solidarity: Exploring the role of international development organisations in local movements 

• Addressing global inequality and development – The Role of tax 

Other sessions and topics include:  

• Civil Society, Gender Equality, Climate Action, Humanitarian action plus more. 

Awards:   

ACFID will announce the recipients of its three awards on 23rd October: the Sir Ronald Wilson Human Rights Award, a Media Award, and Outstanding Contribution to the Sector.   

Full details can be found at the conference website. 

There are a limited number of press invitations for journalists who wish to attend. Please contact Lisa Tadrosse to request one at [email protected]  

Location: The Roundhouse, UNSW, Randwick, Sydney  

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact ACFID Media at  [email protected] or call 0401 721 064.