The Weekly
Next week, on 19 August, we will commemorate World Humanitarian Day – a time to reflect, honour, and stand in solidarity with humanitarian workers around the world. The service will be hosted by ACFID, Caritas Australia, and Safer World for All, with The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP joining us as guest speaker. You can register here to be part of this special occasion.
I also want to make sure that the Introduction to the Sector online training event (links below in the newsletter) is on your radar. This is perhaps the best professional development investment you can make in any new staff or Board members who have joined your organisation this year (and free to attend for people from our smaller members).
This week, I participated in an interesting panel at The Future of Aid: Multilateralism and NGO Action in the Asia Pacific, hosted by La Trobe University. This event brought together representatives from multilateral organisations, Australian NGOs, the Pacific and academia to reflect on the challenges ahead and how our wider sector might adapt – or even fundamentally transform – to remain relevant and impactful in the Pacific. We were pleased to host one of the panellists, Tuya Altangerel, who is the Resident Representative at UNDP in the Pacific, at the ACFID offices earlier this week to discuss ongoing areas of mutual interest for ACFID members and the UNDP in the region.
To Attend
Introduction to the Sector Workshop – Online
ACFID will be hosting an online Introduction to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector Workshop in August. This participatory event 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. The event will be broken into 4 x 90-minute sessions, run over two days.
Part 1: 9:30-11 Thursday 28th August
Part 2: 11:30-1 Thursday 28th August
Part 3: 9:30-11 Friday 29th August
Part 4: 11:30-1 Friday 29th August
Register here. For queries, contact [email protected]
To Attend
Parliamentary ACFID CEOs Lobbying Round, 2025:
Ahead of the Conference, ACFID will facilitate our annual Lobbying Round on Tuesday, 4 and the morning of Wednesday, 5 November. Member CEOs will meet with parliamentarians to advocate on the sector’s most pressing issues. This will be the only Lobbying Round held in 2025.
If you are available to participate, please complete this form
with your details and availability at the bottom above. Meeting times will be confirmed closer to the date, but we kindly request that you keep your selected times available unless otherwise notified.
For questions about the Lobbying Round, please contact Naomi at [email protected]
To Attend
ACFID Code of Conduct Drop-In
The Code team will be hosting its online drop-in session again on Thursday, 28 August 2025!
The session will take place from 1-2 pm (AEST) on Thursday, 28 August 2025. This session will not be recorded and aims to provide an informal space to discuss anything related to the ACFID Code.
Please come and drop by to meet Whitney and Marvin from the Code team and give feedback or ask your compliance questions.
Log in to your MY ACFID account and register your interest here.
If you have any questions, please email the Code team at [email protected]
To Attend
ACFID Connect Session: Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel
Join us for an update on Australia’s Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel with Assistant Secretary Bridie Rushton from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
With 2024 being the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers, Australia has been leading a cross-regional Ministerial Group to develop practical solutions to better protect aid workers in conflict zones.
Bridie will provide an update on:
- Final Declaration text
- Plans for the launch during UN General Assembly High-Level Week in September 2025
- The proposed Group of Friends mechanism to support ongoing implementation
This session offers an opportunity to hear about this initiative ahead of World Humanitarian Day and discuss how the Australian humanitarian sector can engage with this important work.
Register here
To Attend
The ACFID National Conference 2025 is fast approaching.
On 5–6 November, we’ll gather in Canberra for two days of connection, collaboration, and bold conversations shaping the future of international development and humanitarian action. Make sure you’ve secured your spot. Register here
To Attend
AP4D Event: Diversity in Development, Diplomacy and Defence
Australia’s diversity is an invaluable asset for its international engagement, providing a deep and broad reservoir of perspectives and experiences. As Minister Wong put it in a 2023 National Press Club address: “our national power, more than anything else, comes from our people”. Against a backdrop of rising hostility toward diversity, equity and inclusion, there is added impetus to consolidate and build upon progress already achieved.
Join us on Thursday 21 August, 12:00-1:30pm (Canberra time) to hear from a distinguished panel on their experiences leading positive change across Australia’s development, diplomacy and defence communities.
Speakers include:
- Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Disability Inclusion and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Youth and Health & Mental Health
- Dr Carolyn Bull, Director of RAND Australia
- Dr Elise Stephenson, Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
- David Poulton, President and Co-Founder of the Association of First Nations Australians in Development
- Professor Maria Rost Rublee, President of Women in International Security – Australia
- Dr Se Youn Park, Director of Research at Women in International Security – Australia
Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) and Women in International Security – Australia
Date: Thursday, 21 August
Time: 12:00-1:30 pm (Canberra time)
Register: via Zoom at here
To Attend
AP4D Event: Diversity in Development, Diplomacy and Defence
Australia’s diversity is an invaluable asset for its international engagement, providing a deep and broad reservoir of perspectives and experiences. As Minister Wong put it in a 2023 National Press Club address: “our national power, more than anything else, comes from our people”. Against a backdrop of rising hostility toward diversity, equity and inclusion, there is added impetus to consolidate and build upon progress already achieved.
Join us on Thursday 21 August, 12:00-1:30pm (Canberra time) to hear from a distinguished panel on their experiences leading positive change across Australia’s development, diplomacy and defence communities.
Speakers include:
- Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Disability Inclusion and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Youth and Health & Mental Health
- Dr Carolyn Bull, Director of RAND Australia
- Dr Elise Stephenson, Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
- David Poulton, President and Co-Founder of the Association of First Nations Australians in Development
- Professor Maria Rost Rublee, President of Women in International Security – Australia
- Dr Se Youn Park, Director of Research at Women in International Security – Australia
Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) and Women in International Security – Australia
Date: Thursday, 21 August
Time: 12:00-1:30 pm (Canberra time)
Register: via Zoom at here
Food for thought
Writing for the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AP4D’s Heather Wrathall and Melissa Conley Tyler explain why Australia’s development program is growing in relevance to the private sector, and outline how Business leaders can be a powerful constituency in supporting it.
“Australia’s development program not only provides much needed assistance to recipient countries, but it supports the national interest by creating a stable and prosperous regional environment, opening new markets, promoting sustainable business practices, engaging the private sector, and enhancing Australia’s international reputation. All of which are beneficial to Australian businesses. By supporting international development efforts, businesses can safeguard their economic interests while reinforcing commitments to global equity and stability. It’s a win-win.”
Win-win: Australian business and international development
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Heather Wrathall and Melissa Conley Tyler
Upcoming Events
|
Date |
Event |
|
19 August |
|
|
21 August |
AP4D Event: Diversity in Development, Diplomacy and Defence and Defence |
|
22 August |
DFAT Civil Society Partnership Fund – Submissions Open |
|
28 August |
|
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28 & 29 August |
Introduction to the Sector Workshop – Online |
|
5 & 6 November |