The Weekly
Emily Moreton, what is at the top of your mind this week?
This week, ACFID held the bi-annual HRG meeting in Melbourne. Alongside DFAT, the HRG looked at how the sector can collaboratively engage on policy considerations and practical actions in support of the Government’s humanitarian action. Thank you to all the members who participated.
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ACFID, along with members, continued to follow discussions during week two of COP29. ACFID responded to the Australian Government’s announcement of $50 million to the Loss and Damage Fund, which you can read about in our media release.
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Lastly, ACFID is working closely with members and the Stronger Charities Alliance on the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024. While we warmly welcome the proposed changes to improve the transparency of political donations, we will be advocating to ensure that charities can continue to play an active role in election debates.Â
To Attend
Code of Conduct Committee Meeting Recap – November 2024
ACFID Code of Conduct Committee (CCC) met in Sydney on 8 November 2024. Please find a copy of the CCC Communiqué.
 Information about the Code of Conduct Committee including Committee members and the Terms of Reference can be found on the ACFID WebsiteÂ
To Attend
Ethiopia HOM Briefing
ACFID is coordinating a briefing for members with the incoming Head of Mission to Ethiopia. This discussion will include all countries that the post in Addis Ababa is responsible for. This includes South Sudan, Djibouti and the Central African Republic.
The briefing will take place at 9am on 9th December at the ACFID Office in Deakin, and virtually for those who are unable to attend in person. Matthew Maury, Interim CEO of ACFID will chair. Â If your organisation has programs within these countries and your agency wishes to participate, please email ACFID Humanitarian Lead, Naomi Brooks at [email protected]
To Attend
Ethiopia HOM Briefing- 9th December 2024
ACFID is coordinating a briefing for members with the incoming Head of Mission to Ethiopia. This discussion will include all countries that the post in Addis Ababa is responsible for. This includes South Sudan, Djibouti and the Central African Republic.
The briefing will take place at 9 am on 9th December at the ACFID Office in Deakin, and virtually for those who are unable to attend in person. Matthew Maury, Interim CEO of ACFID will chair. If your organisation has programs within these countries and your agency wishes to participate, please email ACFID Humanitarian Lead, Naomi Brooks at [email protected]
To Note
ACFID Connect: Virtual webinar with The Institute for Economics and Peace- 28th November 2024
The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank dedicated to shifting the world’s focus to peace as a positive, achievable, and tangible measure of human well-being and progress. IEP launched in 2007 in Sydney and today has offices in 6 countries, a global monthly audience in the billions, and influence that extends from the United Nations to governments across the world. The webinar will be held online from 12:00-1:00 pm.
To register, please follow the instructions below.
1. Log into your MYACFID account by clicking the tab in the top right corner of our website: https://acfid.asn.au/
2. Navigate to the Events tab.
3. Select Webinars.
4. Complete your registration by following the prompts.
To Note
ACFID Media Release- Sudan Crisis
ACFID has issued a media release welcoming the U.K Government’s leadership in doubling humanitarian assistance, and urging the Australian Government to do the same. The media release can be found here.
To Action
ACFID Webinar: Annual reports and financial statements for ACFID Code reporting
The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank dedicated to shifting the world’s focus to peace as a positive, achievable, and tangible measure of human well-being and progress. IEP launched in 2007 in Sydney and today has offices in 6 countries, a global monthly audience in the billions, and influence that extends from the United Nations to governments across the world. The webinar will be held online from 12:00-1:00 pm.
To register, please follow the instructions below.
1. Log into your MYACFID account by clicking the tab in the top right corner of our website: https://acfid.asn.au/
2. Navigate to the Events tab.
3. Select Webinars.
4. Complete your registration by following the prompts.
To Note
Communities Platform Back Online
Thank you for all CoP member’s patience while the Communities Platform had some technical issues this week. The site is now up and running again – please log in and check out your CoP’s latest discussions and upcoming events.
To register, please follow the instructions below.
1. Log into your MYACFID account by clicking the tab in the top right corner of our website: https://acfid.asn.au/
2. Navigate to the Events tab.
3. Select Webinars.
4. Complete your registration by following the prompts.
To Attend
The ACFID Safeguarding CoP is meeting on Thursday 28th November from 1-4pm. This will be a “hub” meeting, with opportunities for members to join face to face in Melbourne (MCRI office) and Sydney (Act for Peace office) and also online. For details visit the event page in the Communities CoP.
Upcoming Events
|
 Date |
Event |
|
26 November |
ACFID Webinar: Annual reports and financial statements |
|
28 November |
ACFID Safeguarding CoP Hub Meeting |
|
28 November |
ACFID Connect: Virtual webinar with The Institute for Economics and Peace- 28th November 2024 |
|
02 December |
ANCP and Disability Equity CoP Joint Event: Ageism and Ableism |
|
03 December |
Disability Equity CoP marks IDPD |
Food for thought
International students can be a potent source of soft power, as Australia would do well to remember, write Jasmine Stephens and Melissa Conley Tyler. In their 360info article they warn of the long-term diplomatic and soft power costs of international student caps.
“Education — as much as defence, diplomacy, business and civil society links — is an important tool of statecraft to build enduring relationships for Australia’s national interest.”