Australian Council for International Development (ACFID)

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Australian Council for International Development (ACFID)

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The Australian Council for International Development is the peak body for Australia's aid and international development non-government organisations.

Facebook posts are authorised by Matthew Maury, Deakin, ACT, Australia. ACFID is an independent national association of Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) working in the field of international aid and development. ACFID administers a Code of Conduct committing members to high standards of integrity and accountability and currently has over 120 member organisations. Check them out here http://www.acfid.asn.au/membership/our-members

15/10/2026

Should the international aid sector’s communications be loud and proud or soft and targeted? Bringing together voices from media, policy and research, our final plenary delved into how shifting political narratives, public trust and the pressure to generate traffic to news sites are shaping support for foreign aid.

Moderated by ACFID President Virginia Haussegger AM, our 'Beyond the Noise: Reconnecting the Public with Global Development' session featured a fascinating discussion – and some disagreement – from the panellists:

➡️ Sonya Neufeld – Director, Development Communications & Partnerships, at the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
➡️ Mark Chenery - Founder and Director of Common Cause Australia
➡️ Stephen Dziedzic – Foreign Affairs (Asia-Pacific) Reporter at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
➡️ Dr Benjamin Day - Senior Lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, The Australian National University.

Let us know your thoughts – loud and proud or soft and targeted?

13/10/2026

We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2026 ACFID Awards! , Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, joined us in congratulating them and spoke about the values that underpin our sector and the impact that dedicated individuals can have in advancing a more just and equitable world.
- Sir Ronald Wilson Human Rights Award: Haneen Alsammak, who has dedicated more than three decades to humanitarian and community development work in Palestine.
- ACFID Outstanding Contribution to the Sector Award: the late Michael Johnson AM, a founding director of The Fred Hollows Foundation and a "quiet giant" of our sector.
- Media Award: Colin Cosier and Calliste Weitenberg for their reporting for Dateline on severe medicine and doctor shortages across Papua New Guinea.

13/10/2026

It was an exciting and inspiring day at , including a keynote by Professor Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, who said "all human rights challenge power but ... it is crucial that there is a fair distribution of benefits and that is what we need to overcome historic inequalities".

13/10/2026

At today’s ACFID AGM, we are delighted to formally approve 10 new member agencies!

Congratulations and welcome to:

➡️ Aga Khan Foundation Australia
➡️ Equality Australia
➡️ FREO2 Foundation
➡️ Living Child
➡️ Lotus Outreach Australia
➡️ Mama Respond International
➡️ The Melanie Jewson Foundation
➡️ OCI Foundation
➡️ Save Our Supplies
➡️ Transparency International Australia

And an especially warm welcome to those joining us in Canberra for — we’re so pleased to have you here and hope you enjoy the conversations, connections and new faces over the next two days 🤝

12/10/2026

“A just future for the generations that come after us will not be built by one government, one organisation, or one individual. It will be built together, with all of us, hand in hand.” Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly spoke at our Safer World for All event about the important contributions of Australian aid in a world in which conflict, geopolitical competition and humanitarian need is intensifying.

It was a moving night in which Australia’s international NGOs came together in Canberra on the first eve of

Emeline Siale Ilolahia, Executive Director of PIANGO, inspired us with her reflections on the importance of civil society and local voices.

Thank you also to our other speakers, including Shadow Minister for International Development Senator Dave Sharma ma, Greens spokesperson Senator and Michelle Higelin, Executive Director of Action Aid Australia.

12/10/2026

“I was asked the other day in the context of everything that is difficult in the world, was there anything that gave me optimism?” Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Penny Wong spoke at our NGO Showcase at Parliament House today about the optimism she feels as a result of the contributions of Australia’s international NGOs.

We brought together Australian aid agencies to showcase Australia's role in international development and humanitarian action at a time of unprecedented and escalating global crises.

28/09/2026

What does it take to build a safer world for all?

Join leaders from across the political spectrum, civil society and the international development sector at the ACFID Conference Opening Night Dinner on 12 October at Old Parliament House, hosted by ACFID Vice President Dr Sureka Goringe.

Featuring 👇
🌏 The Hon. Dr. Anne Aly MP, Minister for International Development
🌏 Dave Sharma , Shadow Assistant Minister for International Development
🌏 Senator Dr Mehreen Faruqi , Greens spokesperson for international aid and global justice
🌏 Emeline Siale Ilolahia, Executive Director, Pacific Islands Association of Non Govenmental Organisation (PIANGO).

As global challenges become increasingly interconnected, Australia's aid program plays a vital role in supporting stability, resilience and prosperity across our region and beyond. Join us for a conversation on how investing in international development helps build a safer world for all.

🎟️ Tickets close 30 September. Secure your place today here (or link in bio) ➡️ https://events.humanitix.com/acfid-national-conference-2026

29/07/2026

Last chance to secure Early Bird pricing!

Early Bird registrations for the ACFID National Conference 2026 close this Friday, 31 July.
If you have been meaning to register, now's the time.

Join colleagues from across Australia's international development and humanitarian sector this October in Canberra for three days of thought-provoking conversations, practical learning and meaningful connections.

Register by 31 July to secure Early Bird pricing here: https://events.humanitix.com/acfid-national-conference-2026
Explore the program and conference updates: https://acfidconference2026.org/acfid

20/05/2026

Have an idea, case study, challenge, or conversation the sector needs to hear?

Calls for submissions are now open for Concurrent Sessions at ACFID National Conference 2026.

Under the theme Mobilising the Collective: Reshaping Systems for a Just Future, the conference will bring together voices from across the humanitarian and development sector in a participatory space for discussion, learning, and exchange.

We are inviting submission for sessions that encourage discussion, practical learning, innovation, and collective reflection across the sector.

Explore the submission information here: https://acfidconference2026.org/acfid/ -1

Submissions close on 5 June 2026.

18/05/2026

ACFID is hosting a series of Introduction to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector Workshops across Brisbane, Adelaide, and online in 2026.

These participatory workshops provide an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the sector, explore the historical and political context of international development and humanitarian action in Australia, and learn more about sector good practice and ACFID’s Code of Conduct. The workshops will also feature guest speakers from across ACFID’s membership and create space for networking and further learning.

The workshops are open to all, including those who've recently joined or interested in the development and humanitarian sector. Board members and directors of NGOs and charities working overseas are particularly encouraged to attend.

Brisbane: Thursday 4th June. | Register here: https://acfid.powerappsportals.com/all-events/events-details/?id=7fb97413-e8dc-4c06-b886-d140a48fc566
Adelaide: Thursday 23rd July. | Register here: https://acfid.powerappsportals.com/all-events/events-details/?id=fccbf617-1b68-4531-8d82-59a7ce5e031b
Online: Mornings of 4th and 5th November. | Register here: https://acfid.powerappsportals.com/all-events/events-details/?id=f1ee834f-3c67-4f03-88c7-bc5cfcd3363c

Address

14 Napier Close
Canberra, ACT
2600

Telephone

+61262851816

Website

http://www.acfid.asn.au/, http://twitter.com/acfid

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