Newsletter

Post Nauru, Are the SDGs working?, More US cuts in aid, More on safeguarding, Latest CID Talk, Mick Jagger & much more

Posted on 11 September 2018

+ How much do our members love us? 
+ Round Up of Nauru Pacific Leaders Forum

The 49th Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru concluded on the 6th Sept and the theme this year was ‘Building a Strong Pacific: Our People, Our Islands, Our Will’. As well as the coordinated shirt photo opportunity, important discussions took place regarding the impact of geo-strategic competition between major global powers on the Pacific, climate change, and security concerns (including cybersecurity). Below is a round up of various events and 'notable mentions' from the 4 day period:  
+ Three years on, what do we know about the SDGs?

SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) sceptic, UK Oxfam's Duncan Green is challenging himself to think again.

"I was a massive SDG sceptic in the run-up to their creation in 2015 (here’s a summary of previous rants, with links)...Now I want to see if my scepticism needs to be moderated/abandoned," he writes this week.

In his view, "the SDGs were drawn up as a laundry list for lobby groups, and a happy hunting ground for the data geeks" without enough evidence or discussion on how to design for national impact.

His main criticism was that the SDGs were never designed to influence government behaviour - the key to making a difference.

"There had hardly been any serious research on the impact of the MDGs – people basically said ‘ooh look, poverty has halved, the MDGs are a success’. Causation v correlation anyone?"

He continues to call for more research on what kinds of international conventions, agreements or treaties really make the most difference.

But he is re-thinking his initial scepticism, (even if he's not yet convinced they're the best mechanism to get real change), primarily because the SDGs have had such successful pick up by businesses, community groups, even cities (New York most recently).
+ US strips more aid from Palestinians  - this time Hospitals

As the US under Donald Trump continues its review of its aid budget, the latest is a cut of $25 million earmarked for the care of Palestinians in East Jerusalem hospitals, reports Newshub this week.

Trump called for a review of US assistance to the Palestinians earlier this year, writes Reuters in the UK Guardian, saying it was meant to ensure the funds were being spent in accordance with US national interests and were providing value to taxpayers.

Last month, the Trump administration said it would redirect $200 million in Palestinian economic support funds for programs in the West Bank and Gaza amid a deteriorating relationship with the Palestinian leadership.

At the end of August, the Trump administration halted all funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a decision that further heightened tensions with the Palestinian leadership.
+ New CID Code Signatories! ...Christian World Service & Save The Children

We would like to congratulate Christian World Service and Save The Children New Zealand, whom have become the latest signatories to the CID Code of Compliance. CID appreciates the work they have invested in reviewing their own programme principles, organisational dynamics, and engagement with the public. In addition to our two new Code signatories, CID would also like to congratulate and thank three more current members who have been re-granted signatory status as part of a triennial reassessment process. These organisations are; Child Fund New Zealand, Tear Fund New Zealand and Surf Aid.

We expect to have another five members signed as either new signatories, or re-signed as part of a triennial reassessment process, within the next fortnight. We look forward to continuing our engagement with all members on the CID Code to support best-practise across the sector, as well as partnering on the Code review to ensure it remains a valueble and shared tool for verifying this best-practise.

Remember that all members (except for new members that joined CID after April 2017) need to attain code signatory status by the AGM on 29th October 2018. Please reach out to the CID Code of Conduct & Standards Manager (at code@cid.org.nz) if this presents any challenges, or if you have any queries. Remember we are hear to support you through this process.
+ Identifying future trends. Latest CID Talk

Darren Ward, managing partner of Direct Impact (and a former CEO of CBM) gave a fascinating CID Talk this week on the importance of forecasting and understanding future trends in aid and development.

He was reporting back from the 'Scanning the Horizons' civil society workshop in Nairobi recently. 

You can listen to his talk here (apologies for the odd angle on camera towards the end!)

Darren emphasised the importance of:
  • Forecasting for every decision we make. We must understand new technology and the latest ideas that are changing the way we do business (drones delivering humanitarian aid?).
  • Understanding politics because we make decisions in political contexts.
  • Using existing data. There is lots out there. We just have to source it and do our own analysis.
  • Understanding the new models of development that are emerging in-country, like local social enterprises, and 'getting out of the way' if we can add value.
  • Being aware of the unintended consequences if we keep 'doing' aid to others rather than empowering local communities to take control.
  • Partnering with business and social enterprises to get development results.
It was a great talk and we're grateful to Darren for taking the time to talk to members in person and online while in Wellington. 

He will be giving another talk in Auckland soon on the same topic, so Auckland-based members will have a chance to hear the latest on forecasting.  Details to follow.
+ Cricket, Mick Jagger and aid

A clever fundraising idea. Food for thought as we head into the cricket season - and the cyclone season (Andrew Robinson we're looking at you!)

"Rock and roll legend Mick Jagger has given his backing to national cricket charity Chance to Shine, helping the organisation to provide more young people with the opportunity to play and learn through cricket."
+ The Emotional Toll of Whistleblowing & Reporting Abuse

It took ten years to resolve a complaint from former senior UN investigator Caroline Hunt-Matthes against the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, after she argued that she lost her job following an obstructed investigation of a rape in Sri Lanka.

The emotional toll on her was huge.

Effective safeguarding within organisations is not just about stopping abuse and harassment. It's also about how complaints are handled and how survivors and reporters (including whistleblowers) are psychologically and socially protected.

A recent Devex article finds the length of time to resolve complaints, even when conducted with competence, takes an inordinate emotional toll on survivors of abuse or harassment, and whistleblowers. 

There are lessons here for New Zealand organisations implementing safeguarding measures, and these will be explored in our safeguarding workshops later this month - remember to register!  
+ Prepare for CID's Safeguarding workshops 

CID's Safeguarding, Sexual Misconduct and Leadership workshops are September 24 in Auckland and September 25 in Wellington (see below for details).

Here are some of the sorts of guidance and resources we as a New Zealand Sector will look at developing:

In the UK, BOND (CID's equivalent) had created the following for it members: Also, here are some templates for Safeguarding policies, some of which can we used and adapted for the New Zealand context.

ACFID (Australia) has just released an interim report, identifying key emerging themes to address: “Adopting victim/survivor-centered policies and processes; creating a strong reporting culture within organisations; and strong leadership to create that culture, are common international factors affecting the prevention of misconduct."

Also here is the CHS Alliance Handbook on Safeguarding, which BOND have adapted into a quick reference on measures to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse [PDF].
+ OECD Consultation on DAC criteria

The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) is consulting on its update to the OECD-DAC criteria to fit better with the times. Have a look here.

The deadline for the survey is 31 October 2018.

(Thanks for the update Bridget Cassie!)
+ Member of the Moment: UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand

**Please get in touch if you would like to share something your organisation is proud of in the CID Member of the Moment**
 

UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand is celebrating 125 years of trailblazing Kiwi women for this year's #Suffrage125 anniversary. Some of New Zealand's most inspiring women - from golfer Lydia Ko to the world's first transsexual MP Georgina Beyer - share their advice for our future trailblazing leaders. Look out for the conversation they captured between Helen Clark and the Prime Minister on #SuffrageDay, this September 19th #Trailblazing125

Check out their website for more.
+ 2019 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
 
Applications for the 2019 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust - NZ Fellowships are open.

The Winston Churchill Fellowships were established in 1965 to help kiwis travel overseas to learn from others and study topics that will advance their occupation, trade, industry, profession or community and benefit New Zealand.

To begin your application process, or for more information, click here. 
+ We are moving

CID is moving offices to Level 4, 26 Brandon Street, Wellington tomorrow.

Our contact details will stay the same:

Main line: +64 4 496 9615
  • Josie Pagani, Director, director@cid.org.nz, +64 29 9050207
  • Natalia Karacaoglu, Office Manager, office@cid.org.nz, +64 27 6060911
  • Aaron Davy, Code of Conduct & Standards Manager, code@cid.org.nz, +64 21 1970878
  • Jacqueline Parisi, Humanitarian Coordination and Member Engagement, membership@cid.org.nz (starting September 17)
  • Glen Williams, Accountant, glen@cid.org.nz

Tags:

Pacific Islands SDGs