AIDN’s core ethos is ‘more’ and ‘better’ global giving and we seek to foster an environment for the discussion and exploration of how we define these terms in an ever-changing international development ecosystem. Alongside our events, webinars and resources, The AIDN Beat is a key way to achieve this goal.

However, at AIDN we are aware that ‘better’ and ‘more’ are evolving and subjective terms. We are also deeply committed to amplifying diverse voices. Consequently, we accept submissions to The AIDN Beat – so that our dynamic network can shape the discussion too. If you would like to submit content for The AIDN Beat, then we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us (via hannah@aidnetwork.org.au) and we will share our editorial guidelines.


The AIDN Beat strives to keep up with the rhythm of the international development sector and cover a broad range of subjects: from innovative development financing, to leading case-studies of programs on-the-ground, to the need for a genuine commitment to localisation.

Each month subscribers of AIDN receive an email where we’ll share recent pieces from The AIDN Beat, alongside curated pieces from other international development platforms and provide a recommendation for a relevant text, film or podcast. If you’re are not currently signed up to receive The AIDN Beat or our newsletter, you can do so here.

NEWS & RESOURCES

Latest Stories and Developments

Celebrating one year of The AIDN Beat

Celebrating one year of The AIDN Beat

Oct 8, 2024
Since launching last September, we have been amazed by the interest and uptake of The AIDN Beat. We’ve published twenty-four thought pieces over the last year. To celebrate, we’ve compiled all the pieces into this PDF booklet, so you can revisit the rich insights shared by our contributors.
Download here
AIDN Beat Spotlight: Fifi Rashando

AIDN Beat Spotlight: Fifi Rashando

Sep 30, 2024
Our first "AIDN Beat Spotlight" with Fifi Rashando. With 20+ years of governance and leadership experience in the inclusive investing, international development and humanitarian sectors, Fifi is currently the GEDSI (Gender, Disability, and Social Inclusion) and Safeguarding Manager at Opportunity International Australia, an Executive Committee Member with the Australian Disability & Development Consortium (ADDC) and was previously a Board Director for the Leprosy Mission.
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Building shared value for development outcomes: The importance of Cross Sector Development Partnerships (CSPs)

Building shared value for development outcomes: The importance of Cross Sector Development Partnerships (CSPs)

Sep 26, 2024
Drawing on their roles as CEO and Senior Research Associate at the Cross Sector Development Partnerships Initiative (XSPI), Zoey Diaz and Jasmine Stephens highlight the importance of CSPs for breaking down institutional and sectoral silos, and disrupting traditional development models by fostering the mutually beneficial exchange of skills, knowledge and resources.
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Maximizing the impact of cardiac care in East and Southern Africa: The power of knowledge sharing, specialised training and fostering South-South partnerships.

Maximizing the impact of cardiac care in East and Southern Africa: The power of knowledge sharing, specialised training and fostering South-South partnerships.

23 September 2024
Drawing on her role as CEO of Save A Child's Heart, Jo Star argues that external medical expertise and resources remain vital in cardiac care in many African countries. But impact is only maximized when coupled with investment in knowledge sharing and training.
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The only good development program is one you can leave behind

The only good development program is one you can leave behind

13 August 2024
Tamar Kosky Lazarus, Chief Development and Communications officer at IsraAID, reflects upon her recent visit to two IDP (internally displaced persons) camps in Juba, South Sudan. Drawing on the example of one women-led community group that continues to demonstrate incredible resilience despite devastating circumstances, Tamar argues that the humanitarian community must do better. In particular, the development sector must work to ensure that development programs do not create external dependencies nor exit without a follow up plan. Instead, for any development program to be sustainable, it must be community-led and given the time and space to flourish under local leadership.
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Developing development leadership? The value of purposeful leadership education for the development sector

Developing development leadership? The value of purposeful leadership education for the development sector

14 July 2024
Dr Denisse Rodríguez, Dr Jaco Renken, Dr Matthew Mabefam and Dr Natalie Cunningham highlight how in a period of increasing complexity and challenge for international development, collaborative and critical leadership has never been more important to both navigate practical and ethical issues, and influence organisational decision making. The expert guest contributors argue for purposeful leadership education, such as the “Master of Leadership for Development”, moving forward.
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AIDN’s 2024 Insight Tour to Tanzania and Kenya

AIDN’s 2024 Insight Tour to Tanzania and Kenya

17 June 2024
A wrap up of AIDN's 2024 Insight Tour to Tanzania and Kenya.
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Empowering girls in India – one meeting at a time.

Empowering girls in India – one meeting at a time.

11 June 2024
The question as to what “empowerment” actually means or how it manifests on-the-ground remains a perennial question at the heart of international development. In this piece, Surbhi Mahajan shares with our network how she and her colleagues at The Hunger Project India have come to learn how “empowerment” emerges in many different and diverse compositions, extending to safety, mobility, food security and active citizenship. To illustrate this, Surbhi takes us to Bihar, India to meet various young women and girls who currently attend the Sukyana Club.
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Impact Investment in Bangladesh: A New Story

Impact Investment in Bangladesh: A New Story

11 June 2024
Bangladesh is at a pivotal moment where it will need to balance economic growth with social development and inclusion. In this piece, Lily Van Berkel and Nick Goryl from XSPI highlight the role that impact investing can play in navigating this key moment in Bangladesh’s rising economy. In particular, they examine recent moves by BRAC and the National Advisory Board for Impact Investment in Bangladesh (NAB), before unpacking the case study of Build Bangladesh.
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Why giving directly is not the path forward: The ongoing tension in Australian international philanthropy.

Why giving directly is not the path forward: The ongoing tension in Australian international philanthropy.

11 June 2024
In this piece, Anita Toy argues that the current parameters whereby Australian Private Ancillary Funds (PAFs) and Public Ancillary Funds (PuAFs) cannot directly fund overseas charities (without funding via an Australian registered DGR charity) is fit for purpose. This is because Australian intermediary organisations and local fundraising entities registered with the ACNC must comply with the ACNC’s External Conduct Standards to promote transparency, and reduce the risk of funds being misused overseas.
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Hard-edged choices in Ukraine’s survival war

Hard-edged choices in Ukraine’s survival war

27 May 2024
Gordon Weiss provides our network with a first hand account of the state of humanitarian response and the NGO sector in Ukraine in May 2024. Drawing upon his former role in Ukraine with the United Nations, Gordon is now heading a small-circle philanthropic organisation and currently in Ukraine determining how organisations are adapting and pivoting in the face of ongoing war. It is in this context that international funders, like Gordon, must make hard-edge choices concerning who to support and how to maximise impact in a war for survival.
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Why I do what I do (along with many other people I respect and admire).

Why I do what I do (along with many other people I respect and admire).

4 April 2024
Mark Cubit, AIDN Co-Founder, shares with our network what underpins his ongoing drive and commitment to the international development sector. Mark outlines two key reasons: first, because working in our sector affords him the privilege of working with and witnessing the incredible work of both the “doers” and the “funders” of international development. Second, because even whilst slow, the data shows that international development efforts are working.
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