Geneva Conventions turns 70, and changes in aid budgets evident globally. Plus many upcoming events and more.

+ Geneva Conventions turn 70

The Geneva Conventions were adopted on 12th August 1949, and this week marked the 70th anniversary since their inception. The Geneva Conventions, along with their three additional protocols, cover provisions on the legal status and treatment of the wounded, of captured and escaped prisoners of war and of people living in occupied territories.

On the 6th August, New Zealand Red Cross commemorated this anniversary alongside Pacific leaders, humanitarians, lawyers, and politicians at an event at New Zealand Parliament, which was attended by the Prime Minister.

Four years ago, many - including the International Committee of the Red Cross - were questioning if the Geneva Conventions adequately apply to modern warfare. They were written with traditional battlefields and traditional armies in mind but where are the battlefields today? At Aleppo's water supply station? In a concert hall in Paris?

Certainly more enforcement is needed for the Geneva Conventions particularly as aiding victims is more dangerous than ever. As the Conventions turn 70, Dr Helen Durham, Director of International Law and Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross, outlines 5 myths about the Geneva Conventions.
 

+ Pacific Islands Forum

The Pacific Islands Forum is taking place this week in Funafuti, Tuvalu. Being on the front line of climate change, Tuvalu is hoping to hammer home the country's push for greater commitments from the region's largest economies, Australia and New Zealand.

The tone of the meeting with the climate crisis being at the top of the agenda, was set when Tuvalu children welcomed leaders while sitting submerged in water singing "Save Tuvalu, save the world". (This was in stark contrasts to the criticisms of Time magazineearlier in the month, when they chose to represent the vulnerabilities of Pacific people to climate change on their cover story, by showing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres standing knee-deep on the coast of Tuvalu.)

Human rights violations and political independence in West Papua are also set to command debate at the Pacific Islands Forum. Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda has urged government leaders to support the “Free Papua” campaign amid recent escalating political violence there.
 

+ Why governance matters in development 

CID members were treated to a personal session with Graham Teskey, Principle Technical Lead Governance Abt Associates, former head of governance at the World Bank, and governance advisor for DFAT and DFID.

We will circulate background papers and slides next week. For now, here is Graham's guide to a definition of 'good governance':

• 'Governance is the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority necessary to manage a nation’s affairs.' (OECD)

• 'The exercise of economic, political, and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels.  It comprises mechanisms, processes, and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations, and mediate their differences.' (UNDP)

And the common themes between them? 'Authority', 'Institutions', and understanding whose 'Interests' are being served.

Graham's blog on governance is here.

Meanwhile Devex reports that making governments work better will need to become an even greater priority for philanthropy as aid continues to be a smaller part of the picture in low and middle-income countries. 

But a potential retreat in governance support by bilateral donors gives West Coast donors an opportunity to step in and fill the gap. Several organizations — including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Chandler Foundation, and the Hewlett Foundation — are already exploring how to tackle corruption, improve transparency and accountability, and support good governance.

More next week from Graham.