Academic linkages

The Universities-ACFID Linkage network is co-chaired by the Institute for Human Security (IHS) at La Trobe University and ACFID. The primary objectives are to widen debate on international development and to strengthen collaboration between academics and members of ACFID.

We aim:

firstly, to help initiate stronger relations between ACFID members and individual academics with an interest in development, as well as with their departments/research centres;
secondly, to provide a better understanding of the potential entry points with NGOs for collaboration and sector needs; and
finally, to extend the existing network of universities linked to ACFID so as to foster future collaboration as well as sharing of information on development related research.

ACFID - Universities Linkage Network Conference 2011

An Australian Approach to Development? People, Practice and Policy
Deakin University, Burwood Campus, Melbourne
12 - 13 December 2011

In the recent past, there has been great consideration of the effectiveness of both the Australian aid program and Australian NGOs. This scrutiny and accountability is appropriate given the importance of this work. What is less considered is whether there is a distinctive Australian approach to development.

This conference will consider how development is understood and practiced by Australian aid agencies, and it will consider the Australian policies that drive it.

This conference will question what Australian aid agencies are doing and why. It will question how Australian aid agencies approach a range of issues including aid modalities, ethics of development, bi- and multi-lateral engagement, and the sectoral focii of Australian aid, etc. The conference also allows space for participants to discuss different regions, sectors, disaster management and responses, as well as larger questions of the conception of poverty. Perhaps most importantly, this conference also invites people from outside of Australia to provide a critical reflection on what Australian aid agencies are doing.

This conference will be of interest to those involved with Australian aid agencies, as well as practitioners, researchers and policy makers.

Steering Group composition

A reinforced Steering Group brings academics from a range of disciplines together with development practitioners and policy makers to guide the activities of the Network.
Steering Group member biographies (PDF).

Funded research projects

The Network Steering Group put out a call for research proposals in June. We sought work that could be leveraged for further research and co-operation between ACFID members and academics. Proposals for papers, seminars or workshops were accepted. A series of practice-oriented research projects were selected in early July 2010. Topics funded include:

measuring the effectiveness of human-rights based approaches.
assessing the human rights impact of trade agreements such as PACER-Plus;
analysing sovereign bankruptcy regime;
religion and development – faith-based organisations;
exploring gender equity with Australian NGOs and
measuring the effectiveness of human-rights based approaches.

Online network – Universities-ACFID Linkage Network on Atrium

An online group has been created to facilitate information sharing between ACFID members and leading academics from Australian institutions. On this blog, you can:

post events organised by your member agency or research institution,
inform others of your academic interests and engagement, and
seek input, collaboration and feedback on current initiatives.

If you would like to join, please contact Joy Kyriacou, ACFID Policy Advisor.

Past success: MDG conference 2009

The Universities–NGO Linkages Conference, Meeting the Millennium Development Goals: Old problems, new challenges, was held at La Trobe University, Melbourne, from 29 November to 1 December 2009.

With the aim of building engagement and debate on international development, the ACFID and the Institute for Human Security co-hosted this international conference as part of an ongoing collaboration between the NGO sector, other aid professionals and leading Australian academic institutions.

The dialogue established at the conference between Australian development NGOs, universities and the Australian Government, with AusAID in particular, provided a platform for this collaborative endeavour.

We want to maintain the momentum of the conference and continue to bring together researchers, practitioners and policymakers under the umbrella of a development network, and hope to also attract those people who do not regard themselves as working within development studies/the development sector.