Kiwis welcome refugees, ACFID's safeguarding report, new whistle-blowing policies, the new ISIS, links to CID talks and Xmas ideas

Posted on 27 November 2018

+ Over 10,000 Kiwis say "I Welcome Refugees"

Amnesty International today handed over 10,276 signatures to Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway in the form of the I Welcome Pledge, which urges the government to make community sponsorship for refugees permanent.

Green MPs Golriz Ghahraman, Marama Davidson and Wellington Mayor Justin Lester turned up to support the petition.

The scheme complements the refugee quota programme, writes Amnesty's Meg de Ronde in the Spin-Off, with the difference being that community groups take the lead, providing the support that refugees need to rebuild their lives here.

"When I was in Canada, this approach to refugee sponsorship – to hope – felt like it had become a part of the Canadian DNA. But it can be our story too. Kiwis want to help. Now it’s up to the government to decide whether or not to give them the chance," says Meg de Ronde.

+ ACFID report reveals 76 incidents of sexual misconduct

ACFID released its final report into safeguarding incidents in the Australian aid sector.

"Australian international aid groups reported 76 incidents of alleged sexual misconductover the past three years, including one case in which a humanitarian worker impregnated a local woman," reported the UK Guardian this week.

The ACFID Board – made up of leaders of NGO-members of ACFID – have accepted all 31 recommendations of the report and will agree on an implementation plan for its members in early December.

The report found that of the 76 incidents reported by agencies, covering a 3-year period, there were 31 substantiated sexual misconduct cases involving aid workers.

Of the 31 substantiated cases, there were 17 substantiated cases of sexual harassment, 6 cases of sexual abuse and 8 other incidents of sexual misconduct.

Of the 6 sexual abuse cases, 4 were perpetrated by overseas partner organisations or sub-contractors and 2 were not stated.

ACFID's chief executive, Marc Purcell, said any case of sexual misconduct was absolutely unacceptable.

“One case is a failure,” he said.

CID's resources for safeguarding can be found here. These include guidelines, policy templates, checklists and other tools. More work is planned in 2019.

+ Whistleblowing: New Rules, New Policies, New Vision

A ground-breaking new study into whistleblowing processes offers insights into how organisations can handle complaints at work more effectively. Victoria University of Wellington is the only New Zealand university in the Whistling While They Work 2 study, which looks at whistleblowing processes in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in both Australia and New Zealand.

In its just-released latest report, Whistleblowing: New Rules, New Policies, New Visionlessons are captured about the nature and performance of whistleblowing processes in 46 organisations in Australia and New Zealand. It draws on data from a survey of almost 18,000 people who were asked about the processes for reporting wrongdoing, actual reporting practice, and their observations of the process. The research offers crucial insights into how organisations can handle complaints at work more effectively.

+ Festive Season Survival Handy Hint #1 - Dealing with Family

The festive seasons is a special time of year because we get to spend time with family and friends from afar, but this can also fill one with dread for exactly the same reasons. As we prepared for the Christmas & New Year break, we often find ourselves questioning how we are going to cope with "Angry Uncle Bob" or "Casually-Racist Aunty Margaret" at the dinner table.

A computer programme designed by the NGO Smart Politics is a fun way to practice how we might navigate these conversations, and keep some form of tolerable peace until you can escape the table post-dessert. While it relates largely to American Thanksgiving celebrations, the lead up to the NZ festive-season is the perfect time for you to give it a try.

+ The CID Weekly is proudly sponsored by

+ The next ISIS?

Daniel Byman from the Brookings Institute argues that the emergence of the Islamic State in Syria and the mobilisation of tens of thousands of foreign fighters to its cause were due to unusual (though not unique) circumstances which are unlikely to be replicated elsewhere.

"Perhaps most troubling, in both the United States and Europe a growing hostility and violence toward Muslims and bigoted rhetoric from top officials risk alienating non-radical Muslims and creating or worsening a sense of alienation. Often, concerns over terrorism are linked to fear of immigrants, such as the “migrant caravan” approaching the United States through Mexico th at supposedly had terrorists in their ranks."

Meanwhile, migrants face tear gas in the USA, reports Maya Averbuch and Elisabeth Malkin of the New York Times.

"A peaceful march by Central American migrants waiting at the southwestern United States border veered out of control on Sunday afternoon, as hundreds of people tried to evade a Mexican police blockade and run toward a giant border crossing that leads into San Diego.

In response, the United States Customs and Border Protection agency shut down the border crossing in both directions and fired tear gas to push back migrants from the border fence. The border was reopened later Sunday evening."

+ Stuck for Christmas gift ideas?

Think about one of these wonderful gifts for your friends and family this Christmas.

Christian World Service (CWS)
Gifted is the alternative gift programme of Christian World Service (CWS). It has a gift for every occasion – all gifts help people overcome poverty and injustice in their local communities. So your gift gives twice - once for Christmas, birthdays, Mother’s Day, to say thanks or just because AND once to people in need around the world.

All gifts directly support current CWS community development programmes. Donations to CWS’s work are made on behalf of your gift recipient.

The Gifted programme provides fun and meaningful gifts. Donors and gift recipients get a strong sense of what their donations help achieve.

Christmas is fast approaching and many of us are facing the same dilemma; what to buy for that special someone who is socially and ethically conscious.

Fairtrade ANZ
"With the help of our partners and Pacific producers, we’ve curated twelve ethically-made Fairtrade gifts that not only give back to communities in the Pacific but support the businesses that are making a difference.

From Fairtrade chocolate and coffee to organic cotton and luxury linen, we’ve got something for everyone’s taste and budget.

And because we know you’re going to love these goodies, we’re also giving you a chance to win some amazing prizes by entering Fairtrade’s 12 days of Christmas Advent calendar competition." (opening 30 November)

+ Last week's CID Talks

Darren Ward from Direct Impact Group gave a great CID talk last week in Auckland, on the recent Scanning the Horizon conference in Nairobi. Have a look at the presentation slides and video of the talk here.

We also co-hosted a Social Enterprise/NGO panel in Auckland with the International Development Young Professionals Network. It was a great conversation and really worth a listen - here.

Tags:

New Zealand Aid