The Weekly
CEO Top of Mind
Marc Purcell, what is at the top of your mind this week?
Earlier this week, ABC news reported that a third party provider to charities had been subject to a ransomware attack Thousands of donors to Australian charities, including Cancer Council and Canteen, have data leaked to dark web – ABC News
The government regulator, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, or OAIC, has been working with the third-party supplier, Pareto Phone. Data breaches are unfortunately the new normal, in which reputable and respectable organisations in the community are being hacked by malicious actors. All affected charities have been notified, and the regulator is trying to ascertain what data has been hacked. It is the responsibility of charities to inform donors once they know what data has been taken. It is also their responsibility to ensure they are operating under privacy act provisions. ACFID will provide learning to members in the area of cybersecurity in coming months. In the meantime, there are important and basic precautions that your agency staff can undertake to prevent hacks.
What you can do now:
Cyber security, and the overall protection of your personal and business computer systems can be confusing, but there are simple things you can do at both a personal and business level to make sure you’re as safe as possible. There is free cyber security training available on the Digital Transformation Hub website here. It takes around 20-30 minutes to complete, and has a focus on phishing/scam emails and text messages, and touches on password and general IT best practices. It’s a good introduction to basic IT security.
Australian Cyber Security Centre
ACSC provides advice and information on protecting yourself online, covering: secure passwords and multi-factor authentication, shopping online safely, and ensuring your mobile devices are secure and up-to-date. They also have a small business section with additional information on how to protect your IT systems, as well as the data held within. This information can be applied to not for profits and individuals.
Digital Transformation Hub
The Digital Transformation Hub is a source of information for not-for-profits who need to increase (or build) their digital capability to better deliver services and keep their members and staff secure.
IDCARE
IDCARE is a registered charity providing Australia and New Zealand’s national identity and cyber support service. It helps individuals and organisations reduce the harm from the compromise and misuse of their identity information.
Scamwatch
Scamwatch is run by the National Anti-Scam Centre to collect reports about scams to help us warn others and to take action to stop scams. We also provide up-to-date information to help you spot and avoid scams.
Assistance with a cyber security incident
If you require assistance with a potential or actual cyber security incident, the Australian Cyber Security Centre is a good place to start: Report and recover | Cyber.gov.au . They are able to provide expert advice on what to do, who to contact, and how to best manage the incident.
To Action
ACFID Conference 2023 – Initial concurrent sessions announced
Once again, ACFID was swamped with concurrent session EOIs and is now proud to announce some of those that will be included in this year’s program. Read the article here. Expect more announcements over the coming weeks as more elements of the program are confirmed.
Don’t forget that early bird tickets are now on sale and don’t miss the opportunity to get together with your peers in Sydney or to engage online. Read more and grab your tickets here.
To Action
DUE TODAY! ACFID Annual Perceptions Survey 2022-23
ACFID invites you to participate in our annual perceptions survey, covering the 2022-23 financial year, of the quality of our service as Australia’s peak body for Australian international development and humanitarian organisations. The survey is voluntary, however we strongly encourage you to participate, so we can obtain the most accurate and relevant understanding of our stakeholders and your needs as possible. Please complete the survey by no later than today, Friday 25 August 2023 and contact [email protected] if you have any problems accessing the survey. All survey questions can be read with a screen-reader. You can access the survey here:
To Action
ACFID Annual Report Member Images
ACFID is currently in the midst of producing our annual report, and as you well know, we love to showcase the incredible, dynamic and life-saving work that our Members do each year in the field.
We are looking for any high-quality images of a high resolution that demonstrate the work that your organisation does in aid and development, particularly on areas such as climate change, locally led development and humanitarian assistance. We are also looking for images that might showcase work you’ve done on The Voice Referendum, or any other areas that are of particular importance to your organisation.
We will, of course, credit the image to your organisation and the photographer and include a caption of up to 80 words.
If you have a few that you would like to showcase, we would love to add them to our digital asset database to use on our website and social media and in future publications, presentations, and reports that go to Government, policymakers, DFAT, civil society, the public and private sector stakeholders, and beyond.
The due date for this is COB 31st August. Please send all images to External Relations Coordinator Eva Touzeau on [email protected].
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
To Action
Submissions open for New International Gender Equality Strategy
The Government has announced a call for submissions to its International Gender Equality Strategy. Further information about the strategy and key areas of focus is available on DFAT’s website here.
ACFID will be working with members through the Gender Equality Community of Practice to make a submission. If you’re interested to provide input or learn more, please join the Gender Equality COP via the MyACFID Platform. The next COP meeting is scheduled for 3-4pm Canberra time, Tuesday 29 August. Alternatively, reach out to Brigid O’Farrell via [email protected].
To Action
History is Calling – The Voice
With the referendum date due to be called next week and likely on the 14 October 2023, we now have under 60 days of action left to influence and amplify the messages of First Nations people, the Uluru Statement and the Yes campaign! There are many actions you can take, either as individuals or within your workplace. Jump on to our website here to check some out. This is not over yet – let’s make history.
To Attend
AP4D Symposium | Partnering for Infrastructure with Southeast Asia and the Pacific
Australia has a compelling interest in seeing strong growth and prosperity in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Helping deliver infrastructure – a vital enabler of growth, economic development and security – is a critical pillar of Australia’s contribution.
This webinar will launch a paper that sets out the perspectives of Australia’s international policy communities on infrastructure, identifies key risks and opportunities, and outlines a set of high-level principles for partnering with the region. The paper is the culmination of five months of consultations with more than 60 experts from Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including Australian Government officials.
Speakers include:
– Hayley Channer, United States Studies Centre
– Anna Griffin, Transparency International Australia
– Alison McKechnie, Johnstaff International Development
Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue
When: Friday 8 September 2023
Time: 1 – 2pm AEST
Where: Online via Zoom
To Attend
CEO and Board Chair briefing – revised ACFID Code
This event is for ACFID member CEOs and Board Chairs. ACFID will provide a briefing on the revised Code of Conduct and answer any questions that ACFID members may have in the lead up to ACFID’s AGM on 18 October. Additional information and materials regarding the revised Code have been emailed to members as part of the notification of ACFID’s upcoming AGM.
When: Monday 11 September
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Where: Online
To Attend
Global Town Hall 2023: A North-South-East-West Dialogue of Civil Societies
The Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) is delighted to partner with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia on Global Town Hall 2023 – a marathon virtual discussion with leading minds across the globe. The free virtual conference will cover a variety of timely and pressing world issues, ranging from our state of the world in 2023, current geopolitical dynamics, climate change, AI, women’s empowerment and many more.
When: Saturday 2 September Midday and Sunday 3 September at 3pm
Where: Online
To Attend
AP4D Symposium | Lives and Livelihoods: Improving Maritime Safety in the Pacific
Ships and seafaring are fundamental Pacific traditions, but Pacific Island countries have the most expensive shipping, the longest transport routes, and often the oldest and least energy efficient ships globally. Tragically, the region also experiences the highest per capita fatality rate in the world from maritime incidents, many of which could have been prevented with adequate investment.
This webinar will launch a paper that outlines how Australia – which has a mutual interest in ensuring that the ships in the region are seaworthy, have competent crews and are able to safely navigate through sensitive marine areas – can partner with the Pacific to build on existing programs and strengthen maritime safety in the region.
Speakers include:
– David Shoebridge, Australian Greens Senator for NSW
– Elisa Boughton, Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Who: Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue
When: Wednesday 30 August 2023
Time: 2 – 3pm AEST
Where: Online via Zoom
To Note
ACFID AGM Notification
ACFID’s sixty day notice of the Annual General Meeting went out to CEOs 18 August, advising the 2023 AGM will take place on Wednesday 18 October (4:20pm – 6:00pm). All ACFID members are encouraged to attend the AGM, however a member must be financial to vote. There is no cost to attend the AGM, organisations can register as part of the Conference, for the AGM here.
The CEO email contained notification of Resolutions regarding the Amended Code of Conduct, and calls for nominations for Board members and Code of Conduct Committee members. If your organisation did not receive this notice, please contact [email protected] or 02 8123 2213.
To Note
Learn with ACFID outage this weekend
ACFID’s E-Learning site Learn with ACFID will be upgraded this weekend, and not accessible for a few hours at some point over the weekend of the 26th and 27th of August. We look forward to having improved functionality of the site after the upgrade.
To Action
New Translated Safeguarding Course in Burmese Language Now Live!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of translated safeguarding course, now accessible in Burmese! Our comprehensive Safeguarding course in Burmese course joins our existing suite of translated offerings, which includes courses in English, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Polish, Mongolian, Khmer, Bahasa Indonesian, and Vietnamese.
Visit our LearnwithACFID site to explore the full range of translated safeguarding courses.
To Action
Locally Led Resources Survey
ACFID is seeking guidance about what type of tools and resources would be most useful for your organisation in pursuing locally-led action in your programs, projects, networks and partnerships.
This will help ACFID refine and shape a Locally-Led Toolkit for members. Please complete this short survey to make sure your organisation’s needs and priorities are considered. The survey will close on Friday September 8th.
This Toolkit will build on previous work done by ACFID and our members, including:
- the Yielding and Wielding Toolkit led by La Trobe University’s Institute for Human Security and Social Change;
- work by the Humanitarian Reference Group supported by HAG;
- consultation with the Development Practice Committee, HRG members and their partners led by Alinea;
and members’ inputs to the ACFID Statistical Survey.
To Read
JBWere NAB Charitable Giving Index
The JBWere NAB Charitable Giving Index provides timely insight on fundraising, exploring emerging trends across locations and cause areas. The analysis is derived from transaction data on funds going to the for purpose sector from families and individuals. This latest report covers the most up to date giving data (to July 2023) in Australia. Click here to view the full report.
To Note
DFAT launches new AIFFP program focussing on off-grid renewable energy solutions
DFAT’s Call for Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships in the Pacific and Timor-Leste is now live here. This page also includes a link to register for an upcoming information session on August 29 for any members who were not able to make the briefing session with ACFID members last week. DFAT/Business Partnerships Platform is also happy to have individual discussions with any members who might like to discuss a potential idea. Feel free to contact the team directly at: [email protected].
To Note
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan report- “A barrier to securing peace: HR violations against former government officials & former armed force members.”
In a new report released on the 22 of August, UNAMA has documented at least 800 instances of extrajudicial killing, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and ill-treatment and enforced disappearance carried out against individuals affiliated with the former government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its security forces. This is despite the announcement by the de facto authorities of a “general amnesty” for former government officials and former members of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) since the fall of Kabul.
Previously in The Weekly:
- Proposed changes to the ACFID Code – Read more on the Code Review webpage.
- ACFID anticipates the release of the Government’s new Development Policy, led by DFAT in the coming weeks. Read our submissions below.
To Note
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time (AEST) | Event |
| 30 August | 9:30am – 11:30am | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
| 30 August | 2pm – 3pm | AP4D Symposium | Lives and Livelihoods: Improving Maritime Safety in the Pacific |
| 2-3 September | Global Town Hall 2023: A North-South-East-West Dialogue of Civil Societies | |
| 5 September | 2:00 – 3:30 pm | Panel on Supporting Refugee Students in Tertiary Education |
| 8 September | 1pm – 2pm | AP4D Symposium | Partnering for Infrastructure with Southeast Asia and the Pacific |
| 11 September | 2pm – 3pm | CEO and Board Chair briefing – revised ACFID Code |
| 20 – 21 September | CID Annual Conference 2023 | |
| 18-19 October | ACFID National Conference 2023 (Sydney) | |
| 16 November | 2pm – 4pm | Understanding Race & Racism Workshop |
Food for Thought
ACFID members united to honour staff on World Humanitarian Day on the 19th of August, which is the 20th anniversary of the attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad.
This year was an important opportunity to show the sectors unwavering commitment to deliver for the communities we serve, no matter who, no matter where and #NoMatterWhat.
Delivering principled humanitarian assistance is dangerous endeavour, with data for 2023 showing that South Sudan has been the most dangerous place for aid workers for several consecutive years.
Read more about the significance of the day and the challenges humanitarian workers face here