The Weekly

Last week as funding came to an end, we marked the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defense Dialogue (AP4D) program. AP4D was established in 2021 as a platform for collaboration between Australia’s international policy communities. We celebrate what has been achieved through AP4D’s mission of driving the narrative of ‘all tools of statecraft’ and ‘whole-of-nation’ into the policy conversation while helping center development as a key element. While the program has formally concluded, its ​publications ​and ​webinar recordings ​will remain accessible online. We acknowledge the significant contribution of the AP4D team in delivering the program and our sincere thanks Melissa Conley Tyler for her amazing leadership and to everyone who contributed to the AP4D journey.

This week, the ACFID team and I are in Sydney hosting various events, including a CEO Roundtable (discussing AI), the Introduction to the Sector Workshop and our Community of Practice (COP) Convenor Roundtable. Melbourne based members are encouraged to review the registration details below for events there later this month. 

Our recent ACFID Connect session on the 2025 OECD DAC Peer Review of Australia provided members with an overview of ACFID’s views about the key findings and implications for our members vis a vis Australia’s development program. ACFID’s analysis is now available on our website ​here.​ 

At our Special General Meeting last week we had John Patterson, Chief of Staff at World Vision elected to the ACFID Board.  We look forward to John and the rest of the Board gathering for our first 2026 Board meeting later this month.

I want to call your attention to an online ACFID Connect event we are hosting next week which will be presented by Archie Law (past CEO of Act for Peace and Action Aid) and focuses on the very important question “Is Your Organisation Built for a World that no longer exists?”  This will be a valuable discussion for leaders and practitioners from across your organisation.

As we mark International Women’s Day 2026 on 8 March 2026, ACFID reaffirms our active commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting the leadership of women and girls across the Indo-Pacific and globally. We also look ahead to the upcoming ​Women Deliver Conference​, an important global convening focused on advancing gender equality.  For members interested in getting more involved with Women Deliver or more generally the work of Gender Justice – we encourage you to join our Gender COP.

Weekly Data Shapshot

International Women’s Day – Sunday, 8 March

This Sunday marks International Women’s Day, with UN Women Australia’s official 2026 theme: “Balance the Scales.”

A core focus of this year’s theme is the disproportionate impact of climate change and disaster displacement on women and girls – particularly across the Pacific region. UN Women Australia estimates that by 2050, climate change could push up to 158 million more women and girls into extreme poverty – 16 million more than men and boys. You can find more information ​here.​

Looking ahead, for the first time, the Women Deliver Conference will be held on Narrm Country (Melbourne), regionally hosted by the Oceanic Pacific from 27–30 April 2026. ACFID will be in attendance! You can find out more about the conference ​here​.

To Attend

ACFID Connect: Is Your Organisation Built for a World That No Longer Exists?

The humanitarian and international development sector is facing a reckoning. With humanitarian funding retreating to 2016 levels while global defence spending hits an all-time high of $2.7 trillion, the “peace dividend” of the last 80 years has effectively finished. Intersecting crises from increased conflict to the climate emergency to rampant inequality are demanding a different response from civil society. For Boards and CEOs of civil society organisations, the central question is often less likely to be about growth and more likely to be about survival.

Join this ACFID Connect, facilitated by ​Archie Law AM​, who will unpack the transformation journey of an ACFID Member, Act for Peace. This session is designed specifically for governance leaders who are grappling with the issue of whether incremental change in their organisations will be enough. 

Intended audience: CEOs and Board members of ACFID members

Date: 12 March 2026

Time: 11:00AM – 12:00PM (AEDT)

Where: Online

Register ​here.

To Attend

Lebanon HOM briefing with ACFID members 

Australia’s Ambassador-designate to Lebanon has requested a meeting with ACFID members to discuss Australia’s development priorities in the country. 

Please note that we will also organise a prep meeting prior to the briefing, to coordinate with members, agree on key messages, and finalise a meeting agenda. These details will be shared with participants who have registered for the briefing.  

The Ambassador-designates role in Beirut will include responsibility for Australia’s aid program in Lebanon, aligned with Australia’s International Development Policy, and responsive to the Lebanon’s severe economic crisis, domestic political instability, and humanitarian needs exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the region. 

The Ambassador-designate has expressed interest in hearing from members about relevant development issues in the region. Several ACFID members have active projects in Lebanon, and in Syria, Jordan and Palestine.

Date: Thursday 12 March 2026

Time: 11am-12pm (Canberra time)

Venue: Online (Teams link will be sent)

Register here to receive calendar invites for the briefing and prep meeting.

For quires, email [email protected].

To Attend

ACFID CEO Connects: Melbourne

As part of our new ACFID CEO Connects series, we invite Sydney and Melbourne based CEOs to join us in March.

Melbourne: 25 March 2026 | 3:00PM-5:00PM | Save the Children Office | Register here

To Attend

Introduction to the Sector Workshops 

ACFID will be hosting a series of Introduction to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector Workshops in 2026. These participatory face-to-face events 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. 

For queries and to access free registration for Small Members, contact [email protected]

Melbourne: Wednesday 25th March. Register here

Brisbane: Thursday 4th June. Register here

Adelaide and Online: Register interest here

To Attend

Registrations closing: Free Trainings on Safe, Responsible and Effective AI Usage

ACFID is offering a free four‑session training program on Safe, Responsible and Effective AI usage for all staff of our members. Developed with Plan International Australia, AVPN and The University of Melbourne’s Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, the course covers core concepts and practical skills for using AI in Development and Humanitarian contexts. Participants will work through resource packs and join facilitated group sessions over 6–8 weeks.

We have had over 100 registrations for this training so far and now have only Learning Groups with spaces still available. 

If you would like to register in these remaining spaces on either Friday mornings or Friday afternoons, please click here to learn more and register.

To Action

ACFID Conference 2026 – Call out for Photos!

As we prepare for the 2026 ACFID National Conference, we’re inviting members to help showcase the impact of Australia’s development and humanitarian sector.

If your organisation has recent, high-quality images that capture your work in action — whether in communities, partnerships, advocacy, or program delivery — we would love to feature them as part of the Conference. These images will be used across conference materials and visuals, highlighting the collective contribution of ACFID members.

Please send your photos to​ [email protected] ​including any relevant captions or photo credits.

We look forward to showcasing your work.

Consultants

Clear Horizon – 15% off MEL courses

​​Clear Horizon is a values-driven, B-Corp certified, women-led company. We support teams and organisations to monitor, evaluate, learn and ultimately to improve the impact of their strategies, programs and initiatives. We have nearly 20 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) across the international development sector, including working with DFAT, MFAT, World Bank, United Nations, INGOs and managing contractors. We work across a range of sectors including social and economic development, gender equality, disability inclusion, democracy and civil society strengthening, health, education, infrastructure, climate change and disaster resilience, and agriculture.

​​​​We are currently offering the ACFID Network 15% off the cost of five courses commencing in 2026. Check them out ​here!

Exclusive Offer – Free cyber security audits for ACFID members

​​OSKY have supported ACFID and its members since 2018 and are now generously offering a limited number of complimentary website cyber security audits. You will receive a plain-English report mapped to the ASD Essential Eight with a 30-day action plan, plus an optional 30-minute debrief.Places are limited and opt-in.

​​​Read more and reserve a place here.

Upcoming Events