Home 5 Good Practice Toolkit 5 Quality Principle 1: Rights, Protection & Inclusion

Quality Principle 1:
Rights, Protection & Inclusion

Development and humanitarian responses respect and protect human rights and advance inclusion.

Rationale

This Quality Principle recognises the centrality of individual and collective human rights, inclusive participation, equity and protection for those who are vulnerable and those who are affected by the intersecting drivers of marginalisation and exclusion, which include but are not restricted to race, religion, ethnicity, indigeneity, disability, age, displacement, caste, gender, gender identity, sexuality, sexual orientation, poverty, class and socio-economic status.

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ACFID’s members work in the understanding that the realisation of human rights is fully consistent with the achievement of aid and development and that conversely, the denial of rights, especially to vulnerable groups is an active barrier to their development.

Quality Principle 1 covers human rights; addressing the needs and rights of vulnerable and marginalised people; international standards in humanitarian assistance; coordination with others in providing humanitarian relief; the protection of children and the protection of those who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Compliance Indicators reflect the associated obligations of the outgoing code but have been adapted to:

  • Enhance the protection of primary stakeholders from discrimination, violence, abuse, exploitation or neglect (1.1.3).
  • List the factors contributing to vulnerability, marginalisation and exclusion (1.2.1). This listing was developed in consultation with ACFID Communities of Practice and ACFID Members.
  • Require those Members who support or undertake humanitarian assistance to promote the role of local actors (consistent with Commitments made at the World Humanitarian summit in May 2016).
  • Shift focus from child protection to child safeguarding, to reflect the shift in approach and language within our sector (1.4.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.3).
  • Require an explicit policy to enhance the safeguarding of those vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse (1.5).

The Commitments and Compliance Indicators of Quality Principle 1 are deliberately framed to provide scope for the diverse approaches that ACFID’s members take in contributing to the realisation of human rights. Through the extensive consultation process on the development of this Code, marginalisation due to gender identity, sexuality and sexual orientation has been included in the list of factors that contribute to vulnerability, marginalisation and exclusion. The Compliance Indicators that relate to addressing vulnerability, marginalisation and exclusion (Commitment 1.2) acknowledge that the commitment to addressing factors of vulnerability will be fulfilled ‘in context-specific ways’.

Quality Principle 1 calls on ACFID’s members to not only to respect and protect the human rights of the individuals and communities where they work, but to commit to advancing the inclusion of all, and to strive for a world where all individuals can enjoy their rights to the fullest extent.

Quality Principle 1 also calls for the safeguarding of those who are particularly vulnerable. Acts of abuse and exploitation have a profound negative impact on the people affected, whether communities where we work, our partners or our own staff and volunteers.  Unless organisations work to prevent and adequately address such actions, we breach our principles and our commitment to safeguarding, do no harm, accountability and meeting legal requirements.

Quality Principle 1 is implemented through five Commitments by ACFID Members.

Commitments

COMMITMENT 1.1

We respect and protect human rights.

COMMITMENT 1.2

We respect and respond to the needs, rights and inclusion of those who are vulnerable and those who are affected by marginalisation and exclusion.

COMMITMENT 1.3

We support people affected by crisis.

COMMITMENT 1.4

We advance the safeguarding of children.

COMMITMENT 1.5

We advance the safeguarding of those who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse.

About

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Annual Report 2022-23

Reporting on ACFID’s activities to ensure transparency and accountability

ACFID

ACFID is the peak body for Australian NGOs involved in international development and humanitarian action.

Our PARTNERSHIPS

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Members

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Meet our Members

The ACFID membership is comprised of Australian NGOs that actively work in the international aid and development sector.

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Membership types & fees

ACFID has two types of organisational membership: Full Membership and Affiliate Membership.

State of the Sector

The State of the Sector Report provides a comprehensive and robust analysis of the state of the Australian aid and development sector.

NGO Aid Map

ACFID’s NGO Aid Map allows the Australian public and stakeholders to explore the work of ACFID Members around the world.

Development Practice Committee

The DPC is an expert advisory group of development practitioners leading good practice within the sector.

Our Focus

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Federal Budget 23-24 Analysis

Facts and figures on how aid is presented in this year’s annual budget

Strategic Plan

ACFID prioritises a robust response to climate change and pressure on civil society in developing countries, as well as other key priorities.

Emergency Aid

ACFID Members provide vital life-saving assistance in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.

Climate Change

Action on climate change is one of ACFID’s highest priorities, as it is an existential threat to humanity and our development.

Civil Society

Civil societies are a cornerstone of regional stability and ensure that the voices of the marginalised are heard.

Supporting NGOS

Supporting NGOs as Valuable Partners.

Inclusive & locally led development

Walking the talk on inclusive development.

Humanitarian Action

Taking humanitarian action for those in greatest need.

Elevating Development

Elevating Development to the Heart of Australia’s International Engagement.

PSEAH

Improving standards, practice and culture to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Code of Conduct

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2022-23 ACFID Code of Conduct Review

The ACFID Code of Conduct is periodically reviewed to ensure it continues to reflect good practice and the needs of ACFID and its members.

Code of Conduct

The Code is a voluntary, self-regulatory industry code of good practice.

About the Code

Find out more about the Code of Conduct and how it operates.

Good Practice Toolkit

Overview and practical resources, and examples to support the implementation of the Code.

Spotlight on the Code

Provides a thematic ‘deep dive’ into each of the nine Quality Principles in the Code

Compliance

This section outlines the responsibility to be taken by each Member to ensure compliance with the Code.

Complaints Handling

How to make a complaint and information on the Code’s independent mechanism to address concerns relating to an ACFID Members’ conduct.

Other Standards

Mapping the Code with other professional standards and principles in the humanitarian and aid sector in Australia and internationally

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