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Development Practice Committee (DPC)

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Mary MacKillop Today’s Tetun Literacy & Teacher Training Program in Timor-Leste is providing a way for dedicated teachers to improve their skills in the classroom, helping children to engage in learning. Photo: Mary Mackillop Today

The Development Practice Committee (DPC) is an expert advisory group where learning and development practitioners from the not-for-profit sector meet to:

 

  • Lead good practice within the sector
  • Undertake applied research and development of tools and processes
  • Provide relevant advice to ACFID on key issues around development effectiveness affecting the sector
  • Engage with DFAT on development effectiveness practice.

Membership and Meetings

DPC meetings take place at least three times each year over either one or two days, rotating between F2F and virtualThe Terms of Reference for the Committee can be found here.

Members are expected to come to meetings well prepared and to bring the support of their organisation with them.

The DPC has ten members.  DPC member terms run for three years which is renewable to encourage continuity.

The membership is open to anyone from an ACFID Member organisation with an interest in organisational learning in the international development sector and experience in program implementation and monitoring and evaluation. The group may also include external experts such as academics, engaged consultants or subject matter experts from think tanks.

Current DPC members are:

Co-chairs

Matthew Maury, Tearfund Australia, Board Champion

Tracy McDiarmid, World Vision Australia

Committee members

Anthony Zwi, UNSW

Elsa Carnaby, Oxfam Australia

Ai Leen Quah, Quaker Service Australia

Gemma Porter, The Fred Hollows Foundation

Dan Skehan, Caritas Australia

Fiona Tarpey, Australian Red Cross 

Belinda Lauria, UNICEF Australia

Keren Winterford, University of Technology – Institute for Sustainable Futures

 

Work

In 2023 the Committee is prioritising work around Climate Change, Localisation and Performance and Effectiveness.  This includes work and advice on:

  • Extending the ACFID Climate Action Framework to provide practice based guidance for integrating climate change action across the Australian international development sector through a research partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney. This includes leading an ACFID Conference session and producing guidance, case studies and learning tools on enablers for best practice.
  • Establishing a common framework for locally led action by Australian NGOs and agencies in humanitarian responses and international development in partnership with Alinea International.
  • Acting as an Evaluation Reference Group for the Independent Evaluation of the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

In 2021/22 the Committee prioritised work around Climate Change, Localisation and Performance and Effectiveness.  This included work and advice on:

  • Climate Change member scoping workshop and targeted support for member practice
  • ACFID Member Climate Action Framework
  • Localisation Thinkpiece and collaboration with the ACFID Humanitarian Reference Group Localisation Working Group (HRGLWG)
  • ACFID Conference session on locally-led development, with La Trobe University and the ACFID HRGLWG
  • Discussion with DFAT on Performance and Effectiveness (ANCP Review and Partnerships for Recovery review)
  • Acting as a Evaluation Reference Group for the DFAT ANCP Review

Resources

Enablers of Best Practice Cover

Integrating climate change action across the Australian international development sector: Enablers of best practice

Provides grounded and practical examples of best practice for climate change integration. Case studies are linked to different aspects of ACFID’s Climate Action Framework to demonstrate the various approaches some organisations have taken to integrate climate action into policy, programs and practice.

Cover for integrating climate change document

Integrating climate change action across the Australian international development sector: Setting the scene for ANGOs

Describes the system in which Australian NGOs operate for integrating climate change considerations in their development programming, and also provides a background of the types of climate change programming ANGOs undertake, and their local engagement approaches in-country with links to the ACFID Climate Action Framework.

Climate Action Framework - Summary

Climate Action Framework - Summary

Provides a summary of the framework which addresses climate action.

Climate Action Framework - Full Report

Climate Action Framework - Full Report

This framework seeks to address this issue by providing a clear typology of climate actions relevant to Australian NGOs.

Cover with text that reads: Decolonisation and Locally Led Development Discussion Paper

Decolonisation and Locally Led Development Paper

Support and guidance for ACFID members and their staff to get started on their decolonisation journeys.

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Yielding & Wielding Power Toolkit

Sets out practical options for individuals and organisations to further the decolonisation and locally-led agendas.

About

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Annual Report 2022-23

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

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT 2.0
disruptive dynamics, inspired ideas

18-19 October 2023

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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