The Weekly
CEO Top of Mind
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
It’s exciting to be launching The ACFID Weekly! After a lot of hard work within ACFID, we are proud to be bringing you more member engagement through easier, clearer communication. Please share the newsletter amongst your colleagues – The ACFID Weekly is designed to reach all ACFID Members.
ACFID and our members have a strong commitment to understanding and acting on racism within our sector and promoting diversity at all levels of organisations.
I invite you to join me for an important virtual workshop next week, Understanding Race & Racism. You can read more about the details of this workshop below.
The Australian development sector will be closely watching the Federal Budget on Tuesday and how Australia is going to continue to assist people in developing countries. Keep an eye out for our budget analysis to be released in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and the subsequent debrief at 12:30 pm on Wednesday. You can read more below
To Attend
Understanding Race & Racism Workshop
The Racial Justice Community of Practice have organised HUE, a leading anti-oppression and anti-racism consultancy, to deliver a tailored 2 hour workshop online to ACFID members. The workshop is designed to develop a shared language and understanding of race-related issues within Australian NGO workplaces and foster trust and safety.
ACFID members will learn:
- To understand and use appropriate and nuanced race related vocabulary
- To contextualise racism within a structural framework
- To develop understanding of the impacts of racism on people of colour and First Nations people
- To develop critical thinking and understanding of context of racist stereotypes and tropes
- To analyse the ways privilege and disadvantage exist within communities of colour
- To generate and feel equipped to take actions that improve safety for people of colour and tackle racial injustice
*This workshop is a pre-requisite to Hue’s follow-up workshop ‘Deconstructing Whiteness’ held by the RJCOP in November 2023.
When: Thursday 11 May 2023
Time: 2 – 4pm
Where: Virtual Please register here
2023-24 Federal Budget – 9 May
The ACFID Code team is holding a webinar for anyone involved in preparing their organisation’s Code Self-Assessment or Exceptions Report.
This webinar will cover:
– Tips and advice on completing the Code Self-Assessment
– How to submit your Code Self-Assessment or Exceptions Report through ACFID’s online portal
– FAQs and the opportunity to ask questions
When: Tuesday 11 July
Time: 12 pm – 1 pm
Where: Online
To Action
ACFID National Conference 2023
ACFID is excited and proud to announce that this year, the ACFID National Conference will return to an in-person event, to be held at the UNSW Roundhouse on 18 & 19 October 2023.
The theme for this year is “Global Development 2.0: disruptive dynamics, inspired ideas”
The two-day program includes space for both virtual and face-to-face concurrent sessions that advance the conference theme by exploring topics, issues or bold ideas for delegates to learn about, discuss and debate.
Read more here and download the expression of interest pack here!
The John Fawcett Foundation (JFF) is a humanitarian not-for-profit organisation which assists needy people in Indonesia, particularly in the field of sight restoration and blindness prevention. It offers its assistance to people in the lower socio-economic group free of charge and without religious, political or ethnic consideration.
The John Fawcett Foundation 2023 International Women’s Day
The John Fawcett Foundation honoured International Women’s Day in 2023 with a special female-only eye clinic at their Headquarters in Bali on Wednesday 8 March, with a follow-up cataract operating session on Friday 10 March, for women identified as blind with cataracts.
Read more here on ACFID’s website here.
Would you like to be featured as a Member Showcase? Contact Eva Touzeau on [email protected]
Code Review – final member workshops
Join us for the second round of consultation workshops to finalise the proposed changes to the Code.
| Sydney (face to face) | Melbourne (face to face) | Online |
| Tuesday 23 May | Thursday 25 May | Tuesday 30 May |
| 9:30am – 4pm | 9:30am – 4pm | 1pm – 3pm |
| Register here | Register here | Register here |
Thank you for your feedback and contributions to the ACFID Code Review so far! We are currently revising the proposed changes taking account of the feedback on the thematic areas of climate action, locally-led action and racial justice and diversity, that we received in the March consultation period. A new draft will also propose changes to better align the Code with ACNC and ANCP regulatory requirements as well as some of the financial reporting requirements.
We expect that this will be the last round of consultation workshops and encourage all members to participate. Further details on venues and materials for the workshop will be provided in mid-May.
To Action
Nominations open: Committee for Development Cooperation
The Committee for Development Cooperation (CDC) is seeking nominations for one ACFID Board appointed NGO representative to serve on the Committee from 1 July 2023, until 30 June 2025. Meeting at least three times per year, the role of the CDC is crucial in relation to the continuous improvement of accreditation, and as both an advisory and consultative body for professional development of the Australian NGO community.
Nominations close at 5pm Tuesday 23 May 2023. Please contact Emily Moreton, CDC Secretariat, with any questions at [email protected].
To Attend
Melbourne Heads of Agency Dinner and Networking
You are invited to join Marc Purcell for an ACFID Member Heads of Agency dinner on Tuesday 16 May from 6 – 8:30 pm. Please note that this is for Heads of Agencies and CEOs only.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to get together casually and enjoy a beautiful feast of Afghani food at the Afghan Gallery in Fitzroy, Melbourne. This family-run restaurant was founded by Dr Nouria Salehi, now CEO of the Afghan Australian Development Organisation, and her brother many moons ago. Following the Federal Budget and impending new development policy, there will be lots to discuss on the night.
For more information, please get in touch with Rae Lans, [email protected]
Please register and pay using this link. We sincerely hope to see you there.
To Attend
Introduction to the Sector Workshop (Melbourne)
ACFID will be hosting a one-day introductory workshop for staff, board members, and other personnel who are new to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector. This participatory face-to-face workshop 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; and opportunities for networking and further learning.
When: Tue 16 May 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm AEST
Where: AVI – 160 Johnston St, Fitzroy
To Attend
ACFID Connect Webinar series – First Nations Foreign Policy
Join ACFID for the second in the First Nations Foreign Policy ACFID Connect Series, hosted by Julie Balangarry, a proud Gumbaynggirr/Dunghutti woman who co-authored the seminal paper ‘Indigenous Foreign Policy: a new way forward?’ and a PhD Candidate at the School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University. Julie will host a discussion on the landscape for a First Nations foreign policy: what can and should be included, what should be avoided, and what the traditions to work from are.
When: Thursday 11 May
Time: 12 pm – 1 pm
Where: Online – register here.
Missed out on the first session with Melissa Conley Tyler? Watch it now via this link!
To Attend
ACFID Connect Webinar Series
Practical Steps to Integrate Climate Action: Starting the Journey
ACFID invites members to a two-part webinar series exploring the “how to” of integrating climate action into your organisation. Aimed particularly at ACFID members who are looking to start or step up their climate action, this series will include foundational information, case studies, practical steps, participant engagement, and linkage to resources.
The webinars will build on ACFID’s Climate Action Framework and recent research (Integrating climate change action across the Australian international development sector: Setting the Scene for ANGOs and Enablers of Best Practice), and support ACFID members to genuinely consider climate action in line with the direction of the sector.
The sessions will be facilitated by Anna Gero and Dr Tazrina Chowdhury from the University of Technology Sydney – Institute of Sustainable Futures, who co-authored the papers.
Webinar 1: Wednesday 7 June, 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Webinar 2: Wednesday 14 June, 1 pm – 3 pm
Register here.
Please note: as this is a two-part series, it is strongly recommended that participants attend both sessions.
To Note
New Development Policy
ACFID anticipates that the policy will be announced soon, given the suggestion by Minister Wong at the National Press Club on Monday 17 April. ACFID will issue a media release in response and provide a comprehensive overview for members.
Stay tuned for further details once the new policy is released.
To Attend
Webinar on Advocacy and the Voice Referendum
Following a lot of interest in the ACNC’s advice on the advocacy around the Voice Referendum. With ACOSS and ADN, the Stronger Charities Alliance (SCA) will be hosting a sector briefing on the topic. Sue Woodward, the ACNC Commissioner will speak with attendees in a live webinar with a short presentation and a Q&A session.
Please submit any questions you would like to ask ACNC via the link below, noting that there will not be the opportunity to ask about the referendum disclosure scheme (related to if your charity is campaigning, receiving donations or making donations on referendum matters and the amount is $15,200 or more).
The webinar is open to all charities, not just Alliance members.
Who: Stronger Charities Alliance
When: Thursday 16 May
Time: 11 am – 11:45 am
Where: Online. Register for the webinar
To Note
Productivity Commission Inquiry into Philanthropy
ACFID will be making a submission to this inquiry after the Federal Budget. It will cover, amongst other things;
- the need to increase Fringe Benefit Tax concessions for charities,
- the value of payroll giving being taken up by Federal Government departments and agencies,
- the opportunities and risks with the digitisation of charity data, and,
- the value of standards of effectiveness in increasing public confidence, such as the ACFID Code of Conduct.
To Note
Inquiry into the Rights of Women and Children
Public hearings for this inquiry are ongoing. ACFID is, like many organisations, waiting on a rescheduled hearing slot. If anyone has questions about this inquiry or would look to coordinate an approach, please reach out to Natasha Chabbra via [email protected]
To Action
City of Sydney’s Major Events and Festivals Charity Partnership.
Expressions of Interest for major events & festivals charity partnerships are now open for the 2023 / 2024 event season. You can find out more information on the City of Sydney website.
Applications close 11:59 pm on Tuesday 9 May 2023.
To Action
SDG Action Awards
The UN SDG Action Awards is a signature programme of the UN SDG Action Campaign, seeking initiatives and individuals that mobilise, inspire and connect people to drive positive change.
Apply or send your nomination by 7 May 2023
Upcoming Events
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Date |
Time (AEST) |
Event |
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10 May |
9am – 10am |
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10 May |
12:30pm |
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11 May |
12pm – 1pm |
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11 May |
2pm – 4pm |
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16 May |
9:30am – 4:30pm |
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16 May |
11am – 11:45am |
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16 May |
6pm – 8:30pm |
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23 May |
9:30am – 4pm |
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25 May |
9:30am – 4pm |
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30 May |
1pm – 3pm |
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7 June |
1pm – 2:30pm |
ACFID Connect – Practical Steps to Integrate Climate Action Part 1 |
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14 June |
1pm – 3pm |
ACFID Connect – Practical Steps to Integrate Climate Action Part 2 |
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18-19 October |
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“Halfway to the deadline for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are leaving more than half the world behind. The SDG Progress Report shows that just 12 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goal targets are on track. Progress on 50 per cent is weak and insufficient. Worst of all, we have stalled or gone into reverse on more than 30 per cent of the SDGs. Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been.”
– the United Nations Secretary General, 25/04/23