[Aidwatch] AID/WATCH membership and donation appeal, June 2011

[AID/WATCH E-Bulletin]

AID/WATCH E-Bulletin Wednesday 1 June 2011 

1.   AID/WATCH membership and donation appeal, June 2011 

2.   Update: Independent review of aid effectiveness 

3.   AID/WATCH in the News: PACER-Plus  

4.   Media Release: Budget's climate aid is 'derisory' says AID/WATCH

5.   Event: World Refugee Day Rally, 19 June 2011  

6.  Take Action: Support cross-border aid to Burma  

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1.      AID/WATCH membership and donation appeal, June 2011

We need your help to continue our work as the independent monitor of Australia's aid and trade and to improve the effects of development on the planet and its people. Only through being financially self-sufficient can we have the freedom to criticise or applaud with objectivity. 

AID/WATCH membership is a way you can express and support the principles you share with us - it's also essential to the continuation of our work. Please join or renew your 2011-2012 membership today by downloading the form here.

 

TAX TIME:  With the end of the financial year around the corner, you may kindly consider making a donation to help support the work of AID/WATCH - you can easily do so HERE or by downloading the form here.

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2.      UPDATE: Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness 

In late April 2011, the Independent Panel commissioned to undertake a review of Australia's aid program submitted its report to the Australian Government. The Government is expected to publicly release the report and its response in the middle of the year. 

 

Click here to listen to a piece on the aid review which included Gary Lee from AID/WATCH as one of the panellists. 

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3.      AID/WATCH in the News: PACER-Plus 
In May 2011, AID/WATCH and the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET) issued a media release expressing concern at reports of Australia's attempt to compromise the ability of Pacific island countries to determine the role and mandate of the Office of Chief Trade Adviser and called on the government to ensure funding for the Pacific-led trade advisory body does not come with strings attached.
For media coverage, click on the links below: 
Australian NGOs want no conditions attached to office of trade adviser, Radio New Zealand International, 20 May 2011  
No strings to independent Pacific trade advice: Australian NGOs, PACNEWS, 20 May 2011 
No strings needed on funding for OCTA, Radio Australia - Pacific Beat, 23 May 2011 
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4.      MEDIA RELEASE: Budget Climate aid is 'derisory' says AID/WATCH  

AID/WATCH recently criticised the Australian Government for failing to seriously help poorer countries deal with the effects of climate change. While the 2011-2012 aid budget acknowledges climate change will "undermine development progress, reverse economic growth, destroy critical infrastructure and exacerbate food and water shortages", it provides little real funding to address this.

Click here to read the media release

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5.      EVENT: World Refugee Day Rally  - It's time to end mandatory detention

The World Refugee Day Rally is being organised by a broad range of refugee activist and advocacy groups. Details of the rally in Sydney are below. For rallies in other Australian cities click here

 

When:             Sunday 19 June, 12 noon

Where:            Sydney Town Hall

 

Click here for more information or email jemima.mowbray [at] sydney.edu.au 

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  6.. Take Action: Support cross-border aid to Burma
 

Burma Campaign Australia is running a petition urging the Australian Government to fund cross-border aid. In many border areas of Burma where poverty is most severe, aid can only reach people by means of aid workers crossing into Burma from neighbouring countries. Sign the petition calling on the government to fund life-saving cross-border aid to Burma. 
 

Click here to sign the petition 

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info at aidwatch.org.au

 
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