Julie Bishop address to Council 2010
Committee for Development Cooperation (CDC)
Composition and role of the CDC
The CDC is a joint AusAID-NGO committee that oversees accreditation of NGOs, the AusAID NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and other issues concerning the AusAID-NGO relationship. There are three NGO representatives and three AusAID representatives on the CDC, with ACFID attending as an observer. The CDC meets formally at least twice a year. Some routine issues are handled out of session by email or teleconference.
CDC Terms of Reference
(As presented to the 123rd CDC Meeting, 4 August 2009)
Background
The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) administers the Australian Government’s official development assistance program, including cooperation with accredited Australian Development Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). The CDC is a joint AusAID/NGO advisory and consultative body made up of eight expert members; four each from the NGO community and from AusAID; and an Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) staff member as an observer. It is also supported by a secretariat from ACFID.
Final decisions on funding and other cooperation with NGOs are taken by AusAID under delegated authority from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The role of the CDC is seen as crucial in relation to the continuous improvement of accreditation, ANCP policies and any other funding streams involving Australian NGOs. Accreditation gives professional Development NGOs access to the AusAID NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and AusAID funding programs such as Cooperation Agreements, Church Partnership Agreements and Strategic Partnerships Agreements and any other funding mechanisms that may be created.
The key to aid program funding for Australian NGOs remains the accreditation mechanism.
Role and Functions of the CDC
The role and function of the CDC is to:
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Oversee the accreditation process which includes:
- Providing advice on accreditation criteria and related procedures;
- Reviewing accreditation reports and making recommendations to AusAID; and
- Ensuring consistency of approach by accreditation reviewers.
- Provide advice on AusAID policy and procedures regarding NGO funding streams, including ANCP, ANCP Innovation Fund and ANCP Partnership Agreements.
- As appropriate, provide advice on funding streams for ANCP accredited agencies (e.g. Cooperation Agreements and Church Partnership Agreements).
NGO CDC Members
Four CDC members represent the accredited Australian NGO sector and NGOs seeking accreditation. Two NGO CDC members are elected by the accredited NGO sector. The elections are organised by postal ballot through the CDC Secretariat every two years (coinciding with ACFID Council) and re-election of members is possible without limitation. The CDC Secretariat may hold early elections where mid-term vacancies occur.
In non-election years the ACFID Executive Committee will appoint the remaining two members on merit for a two-year period. The Executive Committee will make appointments every two years with the option of reappointment. Reappointment is also possible without limitation. Where possible, appointed members will ensure that the relationship between the CDC and both the ACFID Development Practice Committee (DPC) and the ACFID Executive Committee is maintained.
The NGO CDC members sit as individuals and represent NGOs in general rather than any specific organisation.
NGO members of the CDC are not paid for their attendance at CDC meetings or for participation in CDC working groups. However, they are reimbursed for their travel expenses to CDC and working group meetings.
NGO CDC members may be engaged by the CDC or by AusAID to undertake specific tasks where their NGO experience and relationship with the NGO community is utilised. When NGO CDC members undertake such tasks, payment is made at an agreed NGO consultant’s rate.
AusAID CDC Members
AusAID is represented by four suitably qualified staff members, including one staff member at the level of Assistant Director General and the Director of NGOs and Community Engagement Section.
AusAID staff members are appointed to the CDC for a period of two years, re-appointment is possible without limitation.
Other appointments will be made by the AusAID delegate.
CDC Meetings
The appointed Assistant Director General (or their nominee if unavailable) chairs the CDC.
A quorum of two NGO CDC and two AusAID CDC members is required for decision-making purposes.
The CDC will meet a minimum of three times a year.
Meeting dates are set at the end of the year for the forthcoming year.
The CDC may hold electronic/remote CDC meetings where the CDC considers a teleconference arrangement sufficient to handle the items on the agenda.
In addition, out of session meetings can be called as deemed necessary dependent on the workload of the CDC.
The CDC secretariat provides professional secretariat services to the CDC members and in that capacity is involved in all CDC meetings and working groups.
In addition, an ACFID staff member sits on the CDC as an observer, which is separate from the CDC secretariat role.
All members will undertake to provide any relevant papers for discussion to the CDC secretariat in a timely fashion, so they can be disseminated to all parties in advance of meetings.
