The Weekly
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
This week was the one-year anniversary of the devastating conflict in Sudan. More than eight million Sudanese people have been forced to flee their homes over the past year. Nearly 18 million people, three million of them children, cannot find enough food to eat and are at risk of famine.
The war shows no signs of abating after a year of fighting.
Sudan is on the brink of complete collapse without an urgent injection of humanitarian funding.
Over 2 billion Euros was committed by EU countries, the UK and Canada at a conference in Paris to mark the anniversary.
ACFID has joint with our members, the Sudanese Australian Advocacy Network and Micah Australia in an open letter calling on the Australian Government to make a meaningful contribution of humanitarian assistance to Sudan of $50 million in new and additional humanitarian assistance. Read ACFID’s media release and the open letter here.
On Gaza, I wrote an opinion piece for the Age/ Sydney Morning Herald on the need for targeted sanctions by the Australian Government on Israeli officials who have called for the deliberate denial of aid, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
To Attend
ACFID Connect: “Climate Change actions and biodiversity conservation in a developing country under occupation” with Professor Qumsiyeh
Date: Wednesday 8th May 4-5pm
Location: Online
Register here
Join us for a special ACFID Connect where we will hear from Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh, a leading expert in Palestine on Biodiversity, Sustainability and Climate Change. Professor Qumsiyeh is the Director of the Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University in the West Bank.
He has been very active in developing climate change policy in Palestine. Professor Qumsiyeh has published over 180 scientific papers, over 30 book chapters, hundreds of articles, and several books including “Sharing the Land of Canaan” and “Popular Resistance in Palestine” on topics ranging from cultural heritage to human rights to biodiversity conservation to cancer. He oversaw a number of projects ranging from formulating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to empowerment projects with farmers, women, and children that benefitted tens of thousands. He is laureate of the Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation Award, the Takreem Foundation Award and Peace Seeker of the Year Award, among others.
To Attend
AP4D Symposium: Strengthening Australia’s Indian Ocean Engagement
You are warmly invited to attend the launch of a new paper from the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D): ‘What does it look like for Australia to strengthen its Indian Ocean engagement’.
The Indian Ocean is of growing consequence to Australia in many important ways – be it economic, strategic, diplomatic, developmental, environmental or diasporic. But despite clear challenges and opportunities, the region can be overshadowed in the Australian foreign policy imagination by Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Join us to hear about how Australia can use all tools of statecraft to help address regional challenges, capitalise on regional opportunities, and contribute to regional stability and prosperity.
Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue
When: Wednesday 24 April
Time: 2 – 3pm (AEST)
Where: Online – register here via Zoom
To Attend
AP4D Symposium: Using All Tools of Statecraft in the Information Environment
The global information environment is part of modern Australian political, economic and social life, bringing with it new kinds of connectivity and opportunity. At the same time, it is a vector for serious threats to Australia’s national interests, such as foreign interference in the country’s democratic political system, as well as to global stability more broadly. How can Australia best mitigate the risks and capitalise on the benefits?
You are warmly invited to attend the online launch of a new paper from the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D): ‘What does it look like for Australia to use all tools of statecraft in the information environment’.
Join us to hear from some of Australia’s foremost experts on information and communications practices why a healthy information environment is critical, and how Australia can leverage a whole-of-nation approach to positively shape the information domain.
Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue
When: Tuesday 30 April
Time: 1 – 2pm (AEST)
Where: Online – register here via Zoom
To Attend
Code Roadshow
Last week, The Code Roadshow in Sydney provided a platform for valuable discussions on pertinent topics such as changes to the Code of Conduct, Locally Led Action, and advancing Racial Justice within NGOs.
We thank all attendees for their contributions to the successful event and for participating in valuable discussions.
Join us in Melbourne and Online:
- In-person workshops: Members are welcome to send more than one participant, and participants can choose to attend day 1, day 2 or both.
Who: Staff and volunteers of ACFID members.
When: Melbourne: 23 and 24 April, 9:30 – 4pm (AEST) – register here
- Online workshop: Prep materials will be provided ahead of time, to allow sufficient space for discussion and Q&A during the session.
Who: Staff and volunteers of ACFID members.
When: Online: 30 April, 2-5pm (AEST) – register here
To Attend
ACFID Advocacy Agenda Refresh – Feedback due COB Friday 19 April
ACFID is in the process of undertaking a refresh of its Advocacy Agenda and we are seeking feedback from ACFID’s members on our Exposure Draft which can be accessed here. If you/your organisation wishes to provide feedback please save a copy of this document, add your suggestions as comments and email through the marked-up version to [email protected].
Further information on the process is available in the Exposure Draft Cover Sheet in the above link.
Feedback is due by COB Friday 19 April 2024. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
To Attend
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. Over 40 agencies from across the sector have signed on to the Joint Call.
The joint statement includes a call for targets and resourcing to achieve 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 Action
ACFID is on Instagram: follow us!
ACFID is now present on Instagram. Follow us at @ACFID.AUS to stay updated on our latest news, projects and events.
Upcoming Events:
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Date |
Event |
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19 April |
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22 April |
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23 – April |
CEO Roundtables – Melbourne |
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23 – 24 April |
Code Roadshow – Melbourne |
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4 April – 24 May 2024 |
Crisis Leadership Program- Centre for Humanitarian Leadership |
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10-12 July |
Development Studies Association of Australia (DSAA) 2024 Conference |
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23-24 October |