Home 5 Code of Conduct 5 2022-23 ACFID Code of Conduct Review

2022-23 ACFID Code of Conduct Review

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Mary MacKillop Today’s Mobile Kindy, with partner Child Benefit Fiji, enables children living in informal settlements to access vital early education. Photo: Mary MacKillop Today.

The ACFID Code of Conduct is periodically reviewed to ensure it continues to reflect good practice and the needs of ACFID and its members. Our sector and the work we do is constantly evolving and the aim of this review is to make sure the Code and associated Quality Assurance Framework remains relevant, coherent, useful and credible to members and external stakeholders.

Beginning July 2022, the Review will consider and revise, if required, the Quality Principles and Commitments in the ACFID Code of Conduct and the Compliance Indicators and Verifiers in the Quality Assurance Framework. 

Key questions the Review will ask:

  • Are there gaps in the Code which have emerged since the last review of the Code?
  • Are there opportunities for greater alignment with other international and domestic standards and regulations?
  • Are there opportunities to remove redundancy and overlap within the Code itself?
  • Are there areas of the Code which no longer reflect good practice, or require further clarification?
  • Is compliance manageable for members and ACFID?

The Review will be guided by the following overarching principles:

  • Changes to the Code of Conduct or Quality Assurance Framework will be undertaken on the grounds of necessity not convenience, keeping in mind the impact of changes on members’ compliance requirements;   
  • The overall architecture and structure of the Code and Quality Assurance Framework shall be maintained; and 
  • The triennial compliance assessment and reporting cycle shall be maintained 

Read the full Terms of Reference.

The Review is scheduled to finish in November 2023. 

Get involved

Proposed Code of Conduct Changes 

Thank you to all members who have contributed their thoughts and ideas to the review of the ACFID Code. 

Guided by the recommendations and feedback received so far, the following changes are currently out for consultation. 

MAY 2023 – Proposed changes to the Code and Quality Assurance Framework

ACFID invites all members and interested parties to contribue their feedback to these proposed changes. 

Online Survey

Submit feedback on the proposed changes to the Code via this survey form.

Workshops

Join us for the next series of open workshops to review and provide input on draft changes to the Code and Quality Assurance Framework. This will be the final round of workshops.

  • Sydney – Tuesday 23 May 2023. 9:30am – 4pm (AEDT). Register for Sydney workshop. Venue: Caritas Australia, Mascot. Lunch provided
  • Melbourne – Thursday 25 May 2023. 9:30am – 4pm (AEDT). Register for Melbourne workshop. Venue: Australian Red Cross, North Melbourne. Lunch provided
  • Online – Tuesday 4 April 2023. 1-3pm (AEDT). Register for online workshop. Please note this is primarily for members based outside Sydney and Melbourne.

Participate in Communities of Practice

Do you have a particular interest in climate change, locally-led development of racial justice? The following groups will be assisting ACFID with developing some of the draft changes to the Code that will be presented at the member workshops in March:

  • Climate Policy and Practice Community
  • Localisation Framework working group
  • Racial Justice Community of Practice

Please contact [email protected] if you wish to join a Community of Practice.

Key Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Code Review.

Discussion Paper – August 2022

ACFID released a Discussion Paper outlining key questions to guide the first phase of consultations with ACFID members and stakeholders. Responses were invited from ACFID members, staff, board members, volunteers, partners, and other interested stakeholders.

Consultation Phase: Summary of recommendations – December 2022

This report summarises feedback and propositions from the Consultation Phase of the ACFID Code Review 2022-23. Based on feedback received, the report outlines seven recommendations to guide the next steps in designing and drafting changes to the ACFID Code and Quality Assurance Framework.

Proposed changes – March 2023 

This paper summarises the proposed changes to the Code of Conduct based on the (above) summary of recommendations, as of March 2023. These changes focus on the thematic areas of cliamte change, locally-led action and anti-racism, racial justice and diversity.

Proposed changes – May 2023 

This paper summarises the proposed changes to the Code of Conduct based on the (above) summary of recommendations, as of May 2023. It includes revised changes related to the thematic areas of cliamte change, locally-led action and anti-racism, racial justice and diversity, as well as new changes that aim to improve alignment with other standards, and the overall clarity and coherence of the Code.

 

Key Presentations

Proposition Testing Workshop – 3 November 2022

Member Information Session – 19 July 2022

A visual diagram outlining the timeline of the ACFID Code of Conduct Review, from mid 2022 until November 2023.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the Code Review please contact Emily Moreton, Standards and Code Lead, at [email protected] or (02) 8123 2237

About

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Annual Report 2021-22

Reporting on ACFID’s activities to ensure transparency and accountability

ACFID

ACFID is the peak body for Australian NGOs involved in international development and humanitarian action.

Our PARTNERSHIPS

ACFID works and engages with a range of strategic partners in addition to our members.

GOVERNANCE

ACFID is governed by its Board, ACFID Council, and various expert and governance committees.

Members

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Conference 2023

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Meet our Members

The ACFID membership is comprised of Australian NGOs that actively work in the international aid and development sector.

Become a member

Joining ACFID means joining an experienced and powerful mix of like-minded organisations committed to good international development practice.

Membership types & fees

ACFID has two types of organisational membership: Full Membership and Affiliate Membership.

State of the Sector

The State of the Sector Report provides a comprehensive and robust analysis of the state of the Australian aid and development sector.

NGO Aid Map

ACFID’s NGO Aid Map allows the Australian public and stakeholders to explore the work of ACFID Members around the world.

Development Practice Committee

The DPC is an expert advisory group of development practitioners leading good practice within the sector.

Our Focus

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Federal Budget 23-24 Analysis

Facts and figures on how aid is presented in this year’s annual budget

Strategic Plan

ACFID prioritises a robust response to climate change and pressure on civil society in developing countries, as well as other key priorities.

Emergency Aid

ACFID Members provide vital life-saving assistance in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.

Climate Change

Action on climate change is one of ACFID’s highest priorities, as it is an existential threat to humanity and our development.

Civil Society

Civil societies are a cornerstone of regional stability and ensure that the voices of the marginalised are heard.

Supporting NGOS

Supporting NGOs as Valuable Partners.

Inclusive & locally led development

Walking the talk on inclusive development.

Humanitarian Action

Taking humanitarian action for those in greatest need.

Elevating Development

Elevating Development to the Heart of Australia’s International Engagement.

PSEAH

Improving standards, practice and culture to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Code of Conduct

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2022-23 ACFID Code of Conduct Review

The ACFID Code of Conduct is periodically reviewed to ensure it continues to reflect good practice and the needs of ACFID and its members.

Code of Conduct

The Code is a voluntary, self-regulatory industry code of good practice.

About the Code

Find out more about the Code of Conduct and how it operates.

Good Practice Toolkit

Overview and practical resources, and examples to support the implementation of the Code.

Spotlight on the Code

Provides a thematic ‘deep dive’ into each of the nine Quality Principles in the Code

Compliance

This section outlines the responsibility to be taken by each Member to ensure compliance with the Code.

Complaints Handling

How to make a complaint and information on the Code’s independent mechanism to address concerns relating to an ACFID Members’ conduct.

Other Standards

Mapping the Code with other professional standards and principles in the humanitarian and aid sector in Australia and internationally

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