This comprehensive study of the health of the planet shows wildlife populations around the world have, on average, declined by two-thirds in less than half a century.
"Here in Aotearoa, the story is the same..... with almost two-thirds of rare ecosystems threatened by collapse and thousands of species either threatened or at risk of extinction."
And given it's election year - here are the proposed policy solutions from WWF:
More conservation efforts
More sustainable production
More sustainable consumption
For example, increasing the extent and improving the management of protected areas, and increasing restoration and landscape-level conservation planning.
Living Planet for Policymakersdistills down the key findings of the report and explores the policy options in more detail.
Please register now to take part in this historic event.
For the first time, the international development networks of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific are joining together to hold an Oceania Connect Regional Conference. Held from 27-30 October, the conference will focus on fulfilling the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and how best to respond and rebuild during COVID.
+ Save the date for the CID AGM and dinner @ The Beehive!
The CID AGM and dinner will be held in Wellington at the Beehive on November 5, starting after lunch and going into the evening.
This is a chance for us all to come together after a very challenging year.
There will be a keynote speech (we hope from a new minister), entertainment, photo competition and the annual Collaboration Award.
Please join us for a celebration.
+ Underfunding devastating for displaced people
As COVID continues to increase humanitarian needs globally, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warns that underfunding is impacting millions of displaced people and their host communities.
The agency has so far received just 49% (US$4.5 billion) of the $9.1 billion required for its global operations this year. The consequences of this funding gap are devastating in low and middle-income countries, currently hosting more than 85% of the world’s refugees. In many of these countries, COVID has destabilised economies, exacerbated internal displacement, and reduced access to asylum.
A report released by UNHCR describes the COVID pandemic as a ‘force multiplier’, increasing the needs of the displaced population, including refugees in many countries, while also making those needs more difficult to address.
Shortage of resources for humanitarian operations could have devastating impacts for millions of people around the globe –putting women and children in particular at heightened risk, and disrupting vital services including, health, shelter, water and sanitation, and many other essential relief programmes.
The report highlights 10 situations particularly affected by funding gaps: Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Central Mediterranean route, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela. These situations make up 56% of UNHCR’s annual budget.
Underfunding has already brought many programmes to a halt and essential activities, such as child protection, support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, health services, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene activities are on the brink of being cancelled or scaled back if more funding is not forthcoming soon.
As well as additional funding, UNHCR is calling for donor flexibility when contributions are made so that resources can be targeted to where the needs are the greatest.
TheConsequences of Underfunding in 2020report is availablehere
+ How bad is it? Progress on the SDGs
Even before the pandemic, not a single country was on track to complete the Sustainable Development Goals within the decade, given rising rates of inequality, food insecurity, and climate change,writes Amy Lieberman at DEVEX this week.
Lagging official data makes it challenging to have a fully up-to-date picture. But it is clear that years of progress have been undone, and the goals require renewed support and financing, experts explain ahead of the U.N. General Assembly which will have its 75th session shortly.
"Insufficient official data sources and continued social distancing requirements make it challenging to capture, in real time, a detailed and accurate picture of the SDGs, development experts say."
But an exact answer might not be necessary, since the backsliding trend is clear, and solutions for regaining momentum remain unchanged.
We are pleased to announce that Anglican Missions have completed the membership process and have formally joined as CID Members!
Anglican Missions enables the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, in a spirit of partnership, to share in the global dimension to Christ's mission of proclaiming the Gospel, nurturing believers, responding to human need, transforming society, and caring for creation.
On behalf of the CID network, we would like to welcome Anglican Missions and look forward to seeing representatives at upcoming events.
+ The CID Weekly is Proudly Sponsored By
Direct Impact Group supports organisations to maximise their social impact, because changing the world isn't easy, and in dynamic times this work is more important than ever.
+ Social Enterprise World Forum - register now
This week is the start of the Social Enterprise World Forum. It's running online all week. As it's a global forum, events are running at different times, but there are also some Aotearoa Conversations running during the day New Zealand time - so tune in!
Price of a ticket is GBP30-50 which gives you access to all of the global sessions and the New Zealand sessions.
Timor-Leste has started a small but meaningful program of South-South solidarity aid, writes Elisa da Silva and Michael Rose in Devex.
Although the country still faces a range of serious social and economic challenges, nearly twenty years after the restoration of its independence, leaders feel increasingly in a position to start repaying the goodwill Timor-Leste has received from the international community."
"For Timorese, like myself (Elisa), contributing to various sorts of disaster relief is not just a moral imperative, but also a way to show that we have arrived as a nation that can stand on its own."
The Malala Fund estimates that approximately 20 million secondary school-aged girls may never return to the classroom after the pandemic, if dropouts increase at the same rate, writes Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai in theUK Guardian.
"Following the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak and school closures in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, enrolment rates for girls dropped. Increased rates of poverty, household responsibilities, child labour, early marriage and teenage pregnancy prevented many girls from returning to school."
Maintaining aid levels and funding for education, particularly of girls who are most likely to miss out, is the key she says.
This also highlights the importance of rolling out digital connectivity - urgently - across our own region in the Pacific, so that children can keep learning even in lockdowns, no matter how remote their home.
+ Living with AIDS - UNAID's Winnie Byanyima
Listen to UNAIDS's chief Winnie_Byanyima, a champion of social justice, human rights & gender equality.
Hear her story& her fears about the effect of COVID on people living with AIDS on Awake At Night.
+ Send nominations: Photo Competition & Collaboration Award
It is that time of the year again, when we celebrate the creative and collaborative side of the sector.
The impact of COVID has made this year particularly challenging, but many of these challenges have been mitigated through innovation, collaboration and the awesome creativity of the sector.
Please see below information on the CID Collaboration Award, and the CID Photo Competition for 2020. Winners will be announced at the Annual Dinner taking place on the 5th November.
We want to hear from CID Members and Associate Members that have successfully worked together on a project with a mix of organisations and individuals – for example, each other, local entrepreneurs or partners, governments, funders, private sector, consultants, academics or researchers. Applications must be submitted by 15th October, and will be judged on the following criteria:
The narrative - how compellingly you tell the project's story
The scope - who and how many people were reached
The impact - what is the likelihood of impact and sustainability
The collaboration - how the collaboration led to the successes or results of this project.
The broader theme of the 2020 CID Photo Competition is COVID related activities, with submissions to showcase partnership, collaboration and good development outcomes. The photo competition is sponsored byFisher Print. Further information is on the CID website at the link above, and we are accepting submission up until 15th October, and will also be announced at the CID Annual Dinner.
Submission are to be provided under three catagories:
For Amateur Photographers:
Development
Humanitarian Aid | Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
For NZ-based Professional Photographers:
Humanitarian and Development
+ CID Membership Invoice Payment
CID Membership invoices have been sent out to all members last week - if you have any issues with payment or would like to pay by installment, contact Glen at glen@cid.org.nz or Josie at director@cid.org.nz.
+ Panel discussion on 'Health of the Aid Sector post COVID'
Join us for a panel discussion on the health of New Zealand's aid and development sector, post COVID-19.
CID members, friends, media, MFAT staff, and parliamentary colleagues are all invited.
Please join us for a stimulating and informal discussion on the aid sector post COVID.
Nibbles will be served and drinks are available.
Date: Thursday 24 September Time: 5pm – 6pm Venue: The Backbencher Pub, 34 Molesworth St, Thornton, Wellington
$10 entry fee.
Any question please contact Campbell at office@cid.org.nz
+ Membership Survey - Completion Due!
Thank you very much to those who have already completed the 2019/2020 Membership Survey.
To those organisations still yet to complete it, please complete and submit byFriday 25 September. All CEOs would have received the link for the survey (sent on 18 August).
The data is used by MFAT and decision makers to get a snap shot of the sector, where we work, who we work with and how we're tracking. It will be launched at a public event with media later this year.
Any questions, please contact Campbell at office@cid.org.nz.
Annual conference preparations in progress - Oceania Connect with ACFID and PIANGO
Preparations for Humanitarian Network meeting (22nd September)
Preparations for MFAT Workshop on NZDRP revisions
Preparations for AGM and CID Annual Dinner Event (5 Nov)
Planning for 2020 Photo Competition and Collaboration Awards
Compilation of feedback received through CID Strategy consultations
Annual Report
2019/2020 Membership Survey in progress
ACFID/PIANGO/CID meetings and actions
Preparations for Gender Workshop (October)
Preparations for Health of the Sector panel event (24 September)
Quarter 2 work-planning
In partnership with Mekong Club, progression of research on responsible recruitment of migrant workers in Asia, and the impact of recruitment practices on modern slavery
Sponsorship of research on Digital Access Across Cultures.
