Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?

ACFID expresses grave concern over the looming ground assault on Rafah and its dire humanitarian implications. Over a million Palestinians, including 600,000 children, have sought refuge in Rafah since October 7, squeezed into an area much smaller than Gaza due to evacuation orders. The humanitarian sector, including ACFID, warns of the catastrophic consequences of a full-scale incursion, stressing the lack of safe havens in Gaza amid indiscriminate bombardment.The current population of 1.4 million in Rafah faces severe shortages of essential resources, with reports of air attacks claiming civilian lives.

Additionally, in response to recent revelations regarding misinformation campaigns targeting the UN agency for Palestinian aid, ACFID emphasizes the need for skepticism and urges Australians to stand firm against such disinformation efforts. Highlighting the Australian government’s acknowledgment of exaggerations in past claims made by the Israeli government, we underscore the significance of opposing attempts to undermine UNRWA’s crucial support in Gaza. ACFID advocates for increased scrutiny from parliamentarians and media outlets, urging the restoration of funding to UNRWA to ensure vital humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank.

To Note

Sign on to the Joint Call for disability equity

The Australian Disability Development Consortium and ACFID invite your organisation to join the Joint Call for action for the Australian Government’s forthcoming disability equity and rights strategy to be ambitious and resourced. The joint statement includes a call for targets and resourcing for disability equity in Australia’s development program. If your organisation would like to support and add its logo to the Joint Call, please contact [email protected]

To Note

Sudan

In light of the United Nations launching a global appeal for the humanitarian response, ACFID issued a media release calling on the Australian Government to invest in critical assistance for Sudan. The appeal calls for USD $4.1 billion to stave off the risk of famine and assist those who have fled to neighbouring countries. The media release can be found here. Further information about the UN appeal can be found here.

To Note

Gaza

ACFID remains deeply concerned about the ongoing military offensive in Rafah. Joints meetings with the Humanitarian Reference Group and Government Relations Group are ongoing. For further information please contact Naomi Brooks, ACFID’s Humanitarian Advisor at [email protected]

To Note

2024 Lobbying Round Key Dates

A reminder that ACFID’s CEO lobbying round will be from the 18-20th March at Parliament House. Please remind your agency CEOs, we would love to see you all in Canberra. Meeting invitations are being sent out, and we will be in touch as meetings are confirmed. If you have any questions about the lobbying round process, please contact ACFID’S Policy & Government Relations Lead Dr Alex Edney- Browne at [email protected]

To Note

A little less conversation – New Episode

Episode 10 of A Little Less Conversation is out! Listen to David Higgins from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) unpack all things COP28. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.  Listen here

To Note

Call for Panels and Papers: DSAA 2024 Conference

The Development Studies Associate of Australia invites ACFID members to submit panels and/or papers for their 2024 Conference. Information about the conference and submission process can be found at DSAA 2024 Conference – Development Studies Association of Australia.

To Note

Why is the Asia-Pacific stagnating in tackling corruption?

In the next few months, more than 1.7 billion people will be coming out to vote in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and South Korea. Against this backdrop, the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals another year of little progress in combatting corruption across the region.
 

Join Transparency International Australia in a special webinar with experts from Australia, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands and discuss what it means for our democracies, elections and how citizens are shining a light on corruption.

Who: Transparency International Australia

When: Wednesday 21st February

Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Where: Online – register here.

To Note

AP4D Dialogue: Countering Economic Statecraft

Economic statecraft – the use of economic tools for geopolitical objectives – remains a live issue throughout the region. Examples of coercive economic statecraft include the imposition of trade embargoes, tariffs or quotas, the curtailing of foreign aid, the imposition of travel bans or the placing of restrictive controls over foreign investment. This highlights the inadequacy of a siloed response
Join us for this interactive dialogue to examine how coercive economic statecraft manifests in the region, identify barriers to effective response, and explore how Australia can leverage its tools of statecraft and work with regional partners.

Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue
When: Wednesday 21 February
Time: 1 – 2pm (AEDT)
Where: Online – register here via Zoom

To Attend

Webinars on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity for NFPs

A series of upcoming webinars focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity for NFPs, hosted by Infoxchange and the Digital Transformation Hub, will provide valuable insights and practical knowledge to assist our members in the complexities of AI and improving your cybersecurity practices.

To Attend

Women in Aid Development: International Women’s Day 2024 Event

International Women’s Day 2024 theme, “Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment,” is organized by Women in Aid. Join them online in Melbourne or Sydney to explore pathways for global economic empowerment. Read more here

To Attend

2023-2024 Jerusalem Peace Prize

Australians for Palestine (AFP) and the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) announced Dr. Helen McCue AM, co-founder of APHEDA and advocate for refugee and women’s rights, as the recipient of the 2023-2024 Jerusalem (Al Quds) Peace Prize. The award ceremony honouring Helen will take place at Melbourne Town Hall on Friday, 23 February. Read more and get your tickets here

To Attend

Featured Jobs

OVERSEAS PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia | ACT

Read more and apply.

To Attend

Upcoming Events

Date Time Event 21 February  6.30pm – 7.30pm Webinar – Transparency International Australia 21 February  1:00 – 2:00 pm AP4D Dialogue: Countering Economic Statecraft 23 February 6:00 pm 2023-2024 Jerusalem Peace Prize 05 March 06:00 – 8:00 pm Women in Aid: International Women’s Day 2024 Event 18 – 20 March   ACFID CEO Lobbying Round

Food for thought The pace of acceleration of disaster impacts is outstripping the dominant response-based strategy of the international humanitarian system. Even within the resources that are available, which have been growing, the allocation mechanism does not work fairly or efficiently in targeting those most impacted and most in need of additional assistance, contributing to growing inequality and a failure to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.” Read more in Oxfam Australia’s latest discussion paper Failing Those Most at Risk. It can be accessed in full here.

ACFID’s media team is updating our Digital Image Library and contact list. We kindly request our members to contact [email protected] and contribute additional images and updated contact details.

Get In Contact We’d love to hear your thoughts, suggestions and queries about The ACFID Weekly. Would you like to see your organisation featured? What would you like to see more of? What would you like to see less of? Email us at [email protected]

ACFID’s media team is updating our Digital Image Library and contact list. We kindly request our members to contact [email protected] and contribute additional images and updated contact details.