The AIDN Beat

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 by filling in the form below.

NEWS & RESOURCES

Latest Stories and Developments

How eye health could be a catalyst for global development.

Dec 3, 2024

Brandon Ah Tong (Director of Policy and Advocacy at The Fred Hollows Foundation) argues that preventable blindness is not just a matter of inadequate eye health—it’s a critical global development issue related to poverty reduction, economic growth, gender equality, and education. Consequently, Brandon and the team at The Fred Hollows Foundation believe it is high time that eye health is actively included as an indicator in the SDG framework.

AIDN Beat Spotlight: Ishara Fernando

Dec 3, 2024

Ishara Fernando is BlueRock's Philanthropy and Impact Manager, manages the Be BlueRock Foundation and volunteers in Sri Lanka and Eswatini. Ishara has 10+ years in the social impact sector managing charity partnerships and engaging communities in charity giving. Ishara uses her strengths and experience in project and operations management, social impact and leadership to build a more equal, just and inclusive world.

The next key opportunity for Australian aid and development? Scalable investments in African education.

Nov 28, 2024

Cassandra Treadwell, CEO of So They Can, explores the transformative potential of scalable investments in African education. Cassandra advocates for Australians to move away from a framework of "charity" or "aid", and instead seize a key opportunity to drive global equity and economic growth through investing in education. In particular, Cassandra highlights how targeted, innovative partnerships can address systemic barriers and unlock sustainable development.

Two continents, one mission: How an Australian-Ugandan partnership sparked transformative change in rural Uganda.

19 November 2024

This vignette style piece invites our network to explore the evolution of Help 'Us' Grow (HUG), an Australian NFP supporting Ugandan initiatives since 2007. Told through the perspectives of founder Helen Brown, on-the-ground leader Ssemwogerere David, and key funder Mark Cubit, the piece highlights the transformative impact of Aussie fundraising and philanthropy when driven by passion, reflection, and community ownership.

Exercising the governance muscle – why inclusive land governance matters.

12 November 2024

In this incisive piece, Elizabeth Daley (Chair of the Board of the Land Portal Foundation) strips back complex debates on “good governance” in international development for our network. Drawing on over 20 years of work on land rights and governance globally, Elizabeth argues that inclusive land governance promotes fairness, reduces conflicts, and challenges harmful social norms by ensuring all community members, especially marginalized groups, have a voice in land use decisions.

Amplifying impact and holding the lines: the case of the Forest Glades centre and Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries in Ukraine.

6 November 2024

In this latest piece from Gordon Weiss (Planet Humana), our network is given a unique on-the-ground insight into the ongoing war in Ukraine. Gordon reflects on the work of the Forest Glades centre that is treating Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries, and the significant impact that small philanthropic funds can have in this ecosystem.

Celebrating one year of The AIDN Beat.

8 October 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.

30 September 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.

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

26 September 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.

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.

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.

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.