NGOs

AID POLICY: Donors still far from transparent

16 Nov 11

When nations gather in Busan, South Korea, for the fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, transparency will be up for discussion. A study by campaign group Publish What You Fund finds that most international aid donors are still not open enough about their aid programmes, and some offer no information at all.

Take Action: Make Aid Transparent

01 Nov 11

AID/WATCH along with a coalition of 98 civil society organisations from around the world are calling on governments and other aid donors to publish more and better information about the money they give.

BetterAid calls for civil society applications to participate in High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness.

03 May 11

BetterAid is calling for applications from civil society organisations to participate in the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, which will be held in Busan, Korea from 29 November – 1 December 2011. The deadline is 8 May 2011.

High Court decision a win for charities’ freedom of speech

NGOs

01 Dec 10

Today’s historic majority High Court decision on the charitable status of Aid/Watch is a significant win for Australian charities who engage in advocacy and lobbying activity and ends a four year gag on free speech for many NGOs.

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Our Land, Our Future: Melanesian Land Speaking Tour

03 Mar 10

Join us to hear from two leading campaigners for land rights in Melanesia about the impacts of land reforms on Melanesian peoples, their cultures, economies and livelihoods.

Defending Melanesian Land

04 Aug 10

The Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance (MILDA) was formed in Madang (PNG) in June 2009 to coordinate efforts in Melanesia to help traditional families maintain control over their own land.

MILDA created.pdf - 10.96 KB

land – the pacific genius.pdf - 71.86 KB

Mele Declaration 2010 - 175.1 KB

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International Groups call on Vanuatu Government to respect rights of ni-Vanuatu and allow protests against WTO

10 Dec 11

Over 16 Pacific and International organisations today are calling on the Vanuatu government to postpone any decision on World Trade Organization membership until there has been public, full and meaningful consultation with the people of Vanuatu.

Civil society statement to the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness

30 Nov 11

Since the last High Level Forum in Accra, more than 20,000 civil society organisations (CSOs) - including trade unions, women’s groups, youth groups, faith-based organisations and other social movements – in more than 90 countries, have been consulted on the process, agenda and expected outcomes of the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF-4) that is meeting here in Busan. We, the 500 participants at the Busan Global Civil Society Forum convened on 26-28 November, represent thousands of civil society actors and speak with one voice.

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AID/WATCH in the News: Bridle on outspoken charities was wrong

07 Dec 10

A High Court decision last week provided a big win for charities, and another big loss for the Tax Commissioner. At issue was whether an organisation can retain its charitable status and tax benefits while engaging in political debate. The High Court held that it could. This redefined what it means to be a charity, and provided a boost to freedom of speech.

AID/WATCH in the News: Charities can be political

06 Dec 10

Recently, the High Court handed down a decision that ended almost four years of uncertainty for the charitable sector.