The Weekly
This week, the ACFID Board was at Parliament House doing a pre-election lobbying round to discuss the Safer World for All Campaign, the role Australian NGOs play as highly effective ODA partners, and the fallout from the USAID changes. Among the many meetings held, it was great to have time with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for International Development Pat Conroy. We also met with key leadership across the political parties, including the newly appointed Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Coleman, the Shadow Minister for International Development, Michael McCormack, and the Greens Spokesperson on International Aid, Mehreen Faruqi.
We have also been very busy working through the continued devastating impacts of the USAID stop-work order. We are working with members and DFAT on practical measures to mitigate the impact while also helping to tell the story in the media. There is too much to recap here, but I will point to our next all-member meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon if you are impacted and would like to attend (more info below). We have also been emailing updates to those who attend these meetings.
Meanwhile, the ACFID Code of Conduct Committee met in Canberra over the past couple of days to review member compliance with new Code requirements and explore key sector issues, including AI ethics, impact measurement, and climate governance. A summary of discussions will be shared with members soon.
To Note
Responding to the suspension of U.S. foreign aid
A week ago ACFID issued a statement on the stop-work orders facing USAID. You can find the statement here. You will also see our recent social media posts which use the information from the member survey.
We have also been working to get the story out into the media with stories on the impact of USAID’s freeze on Australian aid and communities discussed on both ABC Radio Canberra and ABC The World Today. ACFID was also featured in The Guardian article Australian foreign aid workers fear ‘deaths and suffering’ will result from Trump’s halt to USAID, where we commented on the broader implications of the freeze.
To Note
ACFID welcomes the release of the Australian Government’s International Gender Equality Strategy
ACFID has welcomed the release of the Australian Government’s International Gender Equality Strategy. You can read our media release here. You can read our media release here. You can learn more about the strategy here.
To Note
To Attend
Adapting to the Future: Leadership in Locally-Led Action and Decolonisation – CEO/Board Virtual Roundtable
Date: 05 March
Time: 6:30 – 8:00pm (NB this event is planned for the evening to accommodate Board Member attendance)
Register for this event here
Board members and CEOs of ACFID members are invited to join a Virtual Roundtable discussion with international guest, Dylan Matthews, CEO of Peace Direct. The Roundtable is designed to equip CEOs and Board members of ACFID members with a deeper understanding of the Australian and global context surrounding locally-led action and decolonisation in international development. Come and learn from the experiences of others, explore emerging trends and opportunities, and engage with other leaders about how our organisations can adapt and thrive in the coming years.
To Attend
ANCP Insights Webinar- Introduction to ANCP for new applicants
Date: 13 March
Time: 9:30-11:30
Venue: Online
Registration via MYACFID Portal: here
This webinar is for ACFID members wanting to apply for the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) for the first time. Hosted by ACFID and DFAT, don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and ask any questions about the process for applying and what to expect. DFAT Accreditation Assessors will provide tips to help your organisation prepare and unpack the accreditation criteria.
Please note that a Microsoft Teams link and calendar invite will be sent upon registration. If you run into any issues with the registration process, please contact [email protected]
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To Attend
ACFID member meeting on impacts of Stop Work Order
This meeting will be an opportunity to share and discuss impacts and updates of the US Stop Work Order on ACFID members and hear from ACFID on the work being done with DFAT and other stakeholders.
Details: Monday 10 February 4:15pm-5pm
Register here
To Attend
Come and join Codies’ first online drop-in session for 2025
Date: Tuesday 25 February
Time: 1-2pm (AEDT time)
As we shared with you in our December newsletter to Code compliance contacts, starting in February 2025, the Code team will host online drop-in sessions on Tuesday afternoons every two months.
We will host our first drop-in session 1-2pm (AEDT time) on Tuesday 25 February. This session will not be recorded and aims to offer a safe space to talk about anything ACFID Code-related!
Please come and drop by to meet Whitney, Marvin, and Doug from the Code team and give feedback or ask your compliance questions.
To register for the event, please follow these simple steps:
1. Log into your MYACFID account by clicking the tab in the top right corner of our website: https://acfid.asn.au/
2. Navigate to the Events tab.
3. Select “Online drop-in session for Compliance contacts with ACFID Code team”.
4. Complete your registration by following the prompts.
Please note that a Microsoft Teams link and calendar invite will be sent upon registration. If you run into any issues with the registration process, please contact [email protected]
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To Attend
DFAT briefing on Southeast Asia Regional DPP for ACFID members (online, via Teams)
DFAT will provide a short update of the recently released Southeast Asia Regional DPP at a briefing for ACFID members next Thursday 13th February, 11:30am-12pm.
Details: Thursday 13 February 11:30am-12pm
Register here
To Attend
Introduction to the Sector Workshops
ACFID will be hosting a series of Introduction to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector Workshops in early 2025. These participatory face-to-face events will include an overview of the history of international development and humanitarian action; an introduction to ACFID’s Code and role in the sector; guest speakers from a range of ACFID’s members; and, opportunities for networking and further learning. For queries contact [email protected]
Melbourne: Friday 21st February. Register here
Sydney: Wednesday 12th March. Register here
Online: Date tbc. Register interest here
To Attend
ACFID Disability Equity Peer Learning Program
ACFID Disability Equity Peer Learning Program
Registrations are now open for the ACFID Disability Equity Peer Learning Program, designed to support the knowledge and practice of ACFID members in disability equity through interactive learning sessions, including Deep Dive webinars and group Learning Pod Sessions.
Date of Program: March to June 2025
Cost: $500 for Medium and Large Members, $200 for Small Members
Registration: More information and registration instructions are available here
To Action
Gender Community of Practice meets to discuss DFAT’s new Gender Strategy
ACFID’s Gender CoP convened for an out of session meeting this week to share their initial thoughts, reactions and feedback to DFAT’s newly released International Gender Equality Strategy.To join future conversations on this new strategy, be sure to join the Gender Equity CoP through MyACFID.
To Action
Calling all Communicators!
The newly launched Communication CoP is now open and welcoming new members – specifically staff of ACFID members involved in the collection, creation, and usage, of communication materials for supporters and the Australian public. The first meeting will be in March. Instructions for joining the CoP can be found here
Food for thought
Upcoming Events
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Date |
Event |
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13 February |
DFAT briefing on Southeast Asia Regional DPP for ACFID members (online, via Teams) |
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21 February |
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20 February |
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25 February |
Code online drop-in sessions |
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05 March |
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13 March |
ANCP Insights Webinar- Introduction to ANCP for new applicants |
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11 March |
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12th March |