The Weekly
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
his week, ACFID’s Policy and Advocacy Team visited Sydney to meet with members. It was a valuable opportunity to see our members in person and we appreciated their insightful views and discussion about the upcoming Federal Election.
In the lead-up to the Federal Election, the development and humanitarian sector’s key messages and strategies to influence Australia’s international development program are front of mind for the Secretariat. If you weren’t able to attend these meetings, or if you feel the need for more Federal Election-related discussions, consider coming to the ACFID conference (22-24 October) in Sydney.
This year, the ACFID conference and side events will include speakers from some of the Federal Election’s biggest players, including Senator Dr Mehreen Faruqi, Hon Pat Conroy MP, and Hon Michael McCormack MP.Â
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Senator Dr Mehreen Faruqi is the Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and holds a number of policy portfolios for the party, including International Aid and Global Justice
- The Hon Michael McCormack MP is the Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific
- The Hon Pat Conroy MP is the Minister for International Development and the Pacific and the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery
Please join us to hear key messages from these and other speakers on their vision of the future of the Australian Development Program.
To Action
Seeking Expressions of Interest for two ACFID Code of Conduct Committee casual vacancies
 We are seeking expressions of interest from individuals who work or volunteer in an ACFID member agency for two casual vacancies on the ACFID Code of Conduct Committee.
These two vacancies will be filled by appointment by the Committee, in consultation with the ACFID Board. Both positions are for a one-year term, with the option to run for election for a full three-year term in October 2025. Further information about participation on the CCC can be found in the position description.
If you are interested in exploring the above opportunity working with the Committee, please send a brief statement about why you would like to join the Committee, along with your CV, to [email protected] by COB Friday 1 November
.
To Note
ACFID Consolidated Appeal – Lebanon
ACFID has launched a consolidated appeal in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Our appeals page can be found here. Our media release can be found here. The appeal has been picked up in the Herald Sun, News.Com, Yahoo News and other outlets. If your agency is responding in Lebanon and wishes to be added to this appeal, please contact Naomi Brooks, ACFID’s Humanitarian Advisor, at [email protected]
To Note
The ANCP CoP hosted DFAT’s ANCP team this week for a briefing and Q+A session on their request for videos from NGOs to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). For anyone who missed the meeting but would like to hear more about this request for videos, please watch the recording of the session at ANCP CoP – Briefing and Q+A on ANCP Anniversary Videos (Oct 2024) (youtube.com)
To Attend
ACFID Seminar: Code Self-Assessment (CSA) reporting
Join us for a webinar to hear from Whit, Marvin and Doug from the ACFID Code team on how to complete a Code Self-Assessment (CSA) under the revised Code, which came into effect on 30 June 2024.
A focus of the webinar will be placed on sharing examples from Members for the amended verifiers in the revised Code and also frequently asked questions from Members when preparing for the CSA reporting.
If your organisation’s CSA reporting is due 30 November, we strongly encourage you to come to this webinar!
When: Wednesday 9 October
Time: 2 – 3pm AEDT
Where: Online via Zoom
To Action
ACFID’s COP29 Working Group
ACFID is setting up a temporary COP29 Working Group to cover the period from October to December 2024. This is an email group and WhatsApp group, to share information and on-the-ground updates from sector colleagues who are attending the UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, this year. Please email Alex Edney-Browne at [email protected] to indicate your interest in joining the COP29 Working Group.
To Action
Looking for new Convenor for Climate Policy and Practice Community – Policy and Advocacy Stream
ACFID is looking for a new Co-Convenor for the Policy and Advocacy Stream of the Climate Policy and Practice Community. The time commitment for this role is roughly 4-5 hours a month but is well-supported by the ACFID Secretariat – with training and resources provided. Convening the community of practice is a great opportunity to grow relationships across the sector and with government stakeholders, and to build knowledge in a wide range of climate issues. Please email Alex Edney-Browne at [email protected] to indicate your interest in taking on this volunteer role.
To Action
Email your MP to increase foreign aid at the next election.
Thanks to all those who have sent out emails to their supporters for the Safer World for All campaign. Make sure you send your own email as well to your local MP asking for an increase of aid to 1% of the federal budget at the next election. You can do that here
Please be in touch with Naomi Brooks with any questions –Â [email protected]
To Attend
Protection of Civilians Course 20-21 November 2024 at QT Hotel Canberra
The Australian Civil-Military Centre (ACMC) is calling for nominations to attend a Civil-Military-Police Course on the ‘Protection of Civilians during International and Domestic Crises’ in Canberra at QT Hotel on 20-21 November 2024.
This course will:
·      Develop familiarity with the whole-of-government approach to the Protection of   Civilians during disasters, armed conflicts and other situations of violence;
·      Explore contemporary perspectives of the Protection of Civilians during International and Domestic Crises;
·      Raise awareness of emerging and future-focused issues on protection; and
·      Provide professional networking opportunities.
Further information, including nomination forms can be found here
To Action
ACFID Photography Competition extended!
Do you have great photos celebrating the work of ACFID members, and/or your partner organisations or other civil society organisations in the Global Majority?
Submit your photos to the ACFID 2024 Photography Competition and have them displayed at ACFID Conference. Three prizes will be awarded for:
– People’s Choice Award
– Winner, category of ‘Solidarity’
– Winner, category of ‘Resilience’
Get your entries in by Friday, October 11!
Read the entry guidelines to find out more.
To Attend
ACFID Conference Side Events
ACFID Conference Masterclass and Side Events:
ACFID’s 2024 Masterclasses, held in conjunction with their Annual Conference, provide a fantastic opportunity for professionals to sharpen their skills in critical areas.
Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace offers practical insights into managing mental health, crucial for leaders and HR professionals adapting to new safety laws.
Media Interview and Crisis Communication is essential for anyone facing the media, helping organisations manage crisis situations with confidence and clarity.
These sessions held on 22 October 2024 at the Roundhouse, UNSW, Sydney, are perfect for NGOs, leaders, HR professionals, industry associations, and media/comms teams looking to enhance their impact.
- Register here to attend in combination with ACFID’s National Conference
- Register here for Psychosocial Safety, using the discount code PROMODISCOUNT10
- Register here for Media Training, using the discount code PROMODISCOUNT10
Conference Dinner: Wednesday 23 October 2024, 7 – 10 pm
– ACFID National Conference Dinner with special guest, the Hon Pat Conroy MP.
Register for dinner only hereÂ
Register with your conference ticket here
Interfaith breakfast: Thursday 24th October 2024, 7:15 – 8:45 am
– Interfaith breakfast – more details TBA
Register for breakfast only hereÂ
Register with your conference ticket hereÂ
To Action
Apply Now: Red Cross Humanitarian Course in Canberra
Applications are open for the Australian Red Cross International Law and Humanitarian Action Course in Canberra from 11-13 December 2024.
 Apply here
To Attend
La Trobe Law School’s International and Comparative Law Cluster (ICLC) 2024 Annual Lecture
The lecture will be delivered by UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, Professor Surya Deva, and is entitled ‘Whose development and at what cost? Reimagining the right to development for sustainable futures’.
 The lecture will take place on 3 October at 6-8pm at La Trobe City Campus
For details and to register, click here
To Attend
Women in Aid & Development events: Advocacy, Policy, and Government Relations
 Are you interested in Advocacy, Policy, and Government Relations? WiAD is hosting events in Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, and Sydney to help you navigate these areas. Learn how to influence policy, collaborate with the government, and ensure your organization’s voice in critical debates. Join them for expert insights, networking, and refreshments!
Melbourne: 01 October 2024
Canberra: 02 October 2024Â
Sydney: 08 October 2024Â
Brisbane 09 October 2024
More information about these events can be found here
To Action
ACFID member media contact
Do you work in a media team or want to collaborate with ACFID more on media? We updating our media database and developing a Media Group with members. If you would like to join or be added as a media contact please email our Senior Media and Policy Advisor, Lisa Tadrosse on [email protected]
To Action
ACFID member media contact
Do you work in a media team or want to collaborate with ACFID more on media? We updating our media database and developing a Media Group with members. If you would like to join or be added as a media contact please email our Senior Media and Policy Advisor, Lisa Tadrosse on [email protected]
Upcoming Events:
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 Date |
Event |
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01,02,08,09 |
Women in Aid & Development events:Â Advocacy, Policy, and Government Relations |
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23-24 October |
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22 October |
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23 October |
ACFID National Conference Dinner with special guest, the Hon Pat Conroy MP. |
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24 October |
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20-21 November |
Protection of Civilians Course 20-21 November 2024 at QT Hotel Canberra |