Australian Council for International Development’s Post

Great to see DFAT deliver on transparency commitments in the 2023 international development policy. This new transparency portal is easy to use and conveniently puts previously disparate information in a centralised spot - great for policy analysts, journos and academics alike! I look forward to seeing further improvements of the portal in time - in particular, transparency around the value of projects being counted towards Australia’s climate finance contributions as well as the value of funds reaching NGOs and local civil society organisations.

NEW: UK-Africa Strategy: A Vital Cog in UK Foreign Policy BFPG Associate Fellow Mohamed Cassimjee explores the importance of a comprehensive, considered and timely new UK-Africa Strategy, looking at what its key focus areas must be. https://lnkd.in/e-kgqCrF

Bill Alert! US Senate Bill S 2240 - United States-Israel International Development Cooperation Act of 2023 Policy: International Affairs Status: Bill Introduced Full Details: https://lnkd.in/eT9U9-Dw Bill 118 s 2240, also known as the United States-Israel International Development Cooperation Act of 2023, aims to strengthen the partnership between the United States and Israel in the realm of international development. The bill seeks to promote economic growth, stability, and security in developing countries by leveraging the expertise and resources of both nations. Specifically, the bill authorizes the United States Agency for International...

Senate of Canada | Sénat du Canada hosted a discussion (video recording available here: https://shorturl.at/8ADu6) to examine and report on Canada's interests and engagement in #Africa. Here is our perspective on the matter. #Africa is a vast and diverse continent, and engaging with it requires a nuanced approach. This complexity calls for a clear distinction between what can be achieved at the continental or strategic level (through the African Union) and at the bilateral or operational level. Addressing this challenge necessitates a multi-dimensional approach to identify a niche for #Canada - aligned with the priorities outlined in Agenda 2063, which is Africa’s blueprint for achieving integration, prosperity, peace, and global prominence - driven by its people. Developing deep and strong partnerships is therefore an inescapable imperative. For Canada, one notable policy misstep of the past was the decision to merge the former Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) into Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada. Although the concept of merging development and diplomacy may have seemed logical, it has often led to challenges in coordination, conflicting approaches, and increased bureaucracy. These issues have, in turn, limited not only Canada’s impact but also its visibility and influence. In adopting a new approach and in the absence of a dedicated development agency like GIZ or USAID, Canada must determine how its reduced international development funding will be channeled. A key question is whether these resources will primarily flow through multilateral agencies or be directed to local organizations to maximize impact and foster local ownership. #BeyondAspirations Senate of Canada | Sénat du Canada | Peter M. Boehm | Hon. Amina GERBA, M.B.A., C.Q.🇨🇦 | Canadian Centre for African Affairs and Policy Research | Templar K. | James Yap | Canadian Global Affairs Institute | Chris W J Roberts

Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) 2024-25 Grant Round Closes 21 August. Grants of up to $50k are available for the key priority areas of society, culture and sport; economic diplomacy and geopolitics; education and Australian studies; scientific innovation; and communication, information and advocacy. The AJF seeks to advance Australia's engagement with Japan by supporting people-to-people linkages, promoting a contemporary image of Australia in Japan, and facilitating informed discussion on key bilateral foreign and trade policy issues. The objectives of the AJF are:   - to increase awareness and understanding in Japan of shared interests with Australia;  - to increase awareness and understanding in Australia of the importance of Japan to Australia as an economic and strategic partner; and  - to increase recognition in Japan of Australian excellence and expertise. Core principles are: Gender equality Recognition/inclusion of First Nations people Recognition/inclusion of diversity The AJF provides grants to projects aligned with the Australian Government's priorities with funding from the Program. The AJF expands people-to-people and institutional links through programs and partnerships on contemporary issues, including in economic diplomacy, the arts, media, education, business, science, technology and sport. If this grant program is of interest to you, and you'd like assistance, please contact me via LinkedIn or andrewhamilton@redtapebusters.com.au Australia-Japan Foundation Grants | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

"Malaysian Foreign Policy under Anwar: Performance, Identity and the Politics of Survival" Join the ISEAS - Yusuf Ishak Institute for a webinar on Malaysia's foreign policy strategies under the Anwar administration. This talk will be given by Dr. Kuik Cheng-Chwee, Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), on July 15th at 10 PM ET. Register below!

Cambodia and the European Union have agreed to intensify their bilateral ties and collaborative efforts, focusing on a broad spectrum of sectors crucial for mutual growth and advancement. The agreement reflects a shared vision for stronger diplomatic relations, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. Economic engagements are expected to surge, with trade and investment being key focus areas. Opportunities for collaboration in areas such as technology, education, environmental conservation, and human rights are also to be expanded. The partnership aims to foster a robust exchange of knowledge and best practices, benefiting both Cambodia and the EU. This increased cooperation is expected to facilitate dialogue on regional stability and international security, demonstrating a concerted effort to create an atmosphere conducive to peace and prosperity. Cambodia's collaboration with the EU underlines the country's readiness to engage constructively with global partners, paving the way for both countries to thrive in a rapidly evolving international landscape. To read more, visit- https://lnkd.in/gnbuKKRM #CambodiaEU #BilateralTies #EconomicCooperation #CulturalExchange #TradeInvestment #TechnologyCollaboration #EducationPartnership #EnvironmentalConservation #HumanRights #GlobalDialogue #RegionalStability #InternationalSecurity #PeaceProsperity #GlobalPartnerships #TheBetterCambodia #Cambodia

South Africa Successfully Navigates Foreign Policy Tightropes Read: https://lnkd.in/d3Ni-F7C Follow Business World Africa for exciting news updates in the African business space #business #africa #SouthAfrica #foreignpolicy

🎬 Jozef Sikela was confirmed as EU Commissioner for International Partnerships after a 3 hour hearing yesterday. Here are the highlights in 5 minutes. As commissioner, Síkela oversees Europe's Global Gateway initiative and its €300 billion budget, which he receives in urgent need of reform to maximise impact for Europe and its partners. Noticeably under fire from questioning MEPs for his far greater familiarity with trade, finance and materials than human rights, democracy and development more generally - echoing worries we have written about here 👉 https://bit.ly/4ef3doA - Síkela nevertheless promised e.g. greater attention to the needs of fragile regions, as well as 13% of development funding ring-fenced for education. Likewise, the thread of geopolitical competition with China and Russia, in particular, is evident. We've written about the limits of this approach and the potential for coexistence of different offers based on relative strengths and the needs of partner countries here 👉 https://bit.ly/4gjqb03 His 6 steps to improving the Global Gateway: 💰 Private-public partnerships 🤝 More flexibility and greater engagement with multilateral fora 🚶♂️➡️ Tackling root causes of irregular migration 🕊️ Greater focus on conflict prevention and good governance 🌍 Mutually agreed cooperation with Africa, Latin America and beyond 🇪🇺 Consistency with development objectives