G20 Support for SDGs; Attenborough's Plea to Leaders; Safe  Migration; Fiji Flash Flood Guidance System; and Christmas Gift Ideas

+ G20 - Support for SDGs, Fighting Climate Change and Trade Reform

The G20 Leaders’ Summit was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina last week.  A consensus was built for fair and sustainable development through an agenda that is people-centred, inclusive and forward-looking. 

The G20 Leaders’ declaration: 'Building consensus for fair and sustainable development' was summarised by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres  with the three important points:

• Reaffirmed support for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agenda
• Very strong support for countries that are signatories to the Paris Agreement, and for the need to implement the agreement and fight climate change effectively
• Recognition of the importance of a multilateral approach to trade and to the reform of the WTO

+ 2018 Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

Migration provides immense opportunity and benefits, for migrants, host communities and communities of origin. Today, there are over 258 million migrants around the world living outside their country of birth. This figure is expected to grow as a result of a number of factors including overall population growth, increasing connectivity, trade, conflict, rising inequality, demographic imbalances and climate change.

Following 18 months of consultation, in July 2018 UN Member States agreed to adopt a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. While non-legally binding, the 'Global Compact for Migration' is grounded in values of state sovereignty, responsibility-sharing, non-discrimination, and human rights, and recognises that a cooperative approach is needed to optimise the overall benefits of migration. The Global Compact for Migration represents a historic opportunity to improve international cooperation on migration, and to strengthen the contributions of migrants and migration to sustainable development. It represents the first-ever UN global agreement on a common approach to international migration in all its dimensions.

On 10-11 December, the Intergovernmental Conference to adopt the Global Compact will take place in Marrakech, Morocco. The purpose of the conference is to formally adopt the 23 objectives of the Global Compact, as agreed in July 2018. While the compact has been welcomed as an important multilateral step in the right direction, it is important to note that there remains some criticism of the Compact, particularly as it applies to refugees.

+  Early Warning System – Fiji

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announced last week that Fiji will develop an early warning system for floods.

In Fiji, flash floods are common hazardous events that pose a serious threat to populations. In recent years, floods and landslides have claimed lives of people, damages to properties and infrastructure, putting back decades of development, and disruption to business and livelihoods.

In February 2017, parts of the Nadi area were under water as continual heavy rain created multiple flash flooding events. In April 2018 Tropical Cyclone Josie brought torrential rains and flooding in the town of Ba on the island of Viti Levu, causing four fatalities, and another presumed drowned.

Experts met in Nadi, Fiji 12-16 November 2018, to discuss the implementation of the Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS).

The meeting discussed and developed a work plan for the implementation of FijiFFGS, a name chosen to ensure ownership of the project and show that its applications are specifically targeting the islands of Fiji. Further details are available here.

+  Road Transport Connectivity in Timor-Leste set to improve

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) reported last week that a loan agreement has been signed with the Government of Timor-Leste to assist Timor-Leste upgrade and sustain the country’s national road network . Further details are available here. 

+ Kiribati Reforms - Early Childhood Care, Public  Finance & Illegal Fishing

In a World Bank press release last week it was announced that US$5 million was approved by World Bank for Kiribati’s Fifth Economic Reform Development Policy Operation, building on progress towards both public finances and inclusive economic growth.

From a public finances perspective, the funds will support Kiribati’s management of cash reserves; the appointment of procurement specialists in a new Central Procurement Agency; and continued improvements to the governance of Kiribati’s sovereign  wealthfund – the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund.

Additionally the environment for inclusive growth will be improved through more robust laws on illegal and unregulated fishing; increased measures to ensure a more reliable, sustainable water supply to South Tarawa; and new standards for the regulation and support of early childhood care and education and preschool programs.

+ Strengthening Governance 

You can now find on our website a copy of the Governance presentation John Page gave at his CID Talk last week, a link to the talk and a copy of his report "True to label?".

CID has also released a briefing paper last week - Strengthening Governance - An analysis of governance in the International Non-Government-Organisation sector, written by Chris Clarke.

+ cbm - Stop Underestimating People with Disabilities

On 3 December 'International Day of People With Disabilities', cbm New Zealand joined organisations around the world to call for an end to the attitudes and misconceptions that prevent people with disabilities, especially those in low-income countries, from reaching their full potential.

For those working in the field of development and humanitarian aid it is a timely reminder that people with disabilities feel empowered when they can make choices that bestow dignity, when they have friendships that share power, and when they have a say in what their community looks like, especially when those decisions particularly affect their lives.  

“More than 1 billion people around the world have a disability. Attitudes, misconceptions, and incorrect beliefs continue to be some of the tallest barriers faced by people with disabilities,” said Dr Murray Sheard, CEO of cbm New Zealand today on International Day of People with Disabilities. “People with disabilities also have abilities and aspirations. It’s time we stopped underestimating their ability. We need to be providing the support and opportunities to people with disabilities that remove barriers to success, so they can more fully contribute in line with those aspirations. All our communities will be richer and stronger as a result”, says Dr Sheard.

The cbm New Zealand video - Don’t Underestimate Me - highlights the stories of people with disabilities who have been underestimated and are defying low expectations.

+ Write Letters to Save Lives and Help Deliver Justice

Take action in support of brave women human rights defenders as part of Amnesty International's annual 'Write for Rights' events.

You can participate in confirmed events nationwide, host your own event or take action online.

Through the power of collective action, the letters you write will convince government officials to free people unjustly imprisoned, stop torture and end other abuses. The solidarity messages you write ensure that these women feel less isolated and alone and that the world knows of their brave struggle.

Visit this link https://write.amnesty.org.nz/ for all information needed to participate. 

+  Changing Attitudes to Physical Punishment of Children in Aotearoa New Zealand

Save the Children New Zealand has released a report, Changing Attitudes to Physical Punishment of Children in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The report presents survey findings of adult attitudes to physical punishment of children and the 2007 law change that amended section 59 Crimes Act 1961 to make all forms of assaults on children illegal. The survey questions were included as part of a recent UMR Research nation-wide omnibus survey of a representative sample of adults in New Zealand (July 2018) and repeats a survey undertaken in 2008, and again in 2013. Over the last 11 years, attitudes toward the physical punishment of children have changed with fewer and fewer parents believing that physical punishment is acceptable.

This report found that 43% of New Zealand adults believe children should never be subjected to physical punishment. This is an increase of 23% on 2008 survey results. Opposition to the law is also declining; 39% of adults fully support the law, an increase of 4% on 2013 survey results. Those findings show that New Zealand is moving toward a future of violence-free parenting, affirming the work of the politicians, academics, advocates and others who have supported law reform and public information about non-violent parenting over the years. However, the findings also show that a significant number of people continue to support or are uncertain about whether the physical punishment of children is acceptable. This suggests a continued need to inform and support parents to raise their children without violence.

+ Stuck for Christmas Gift Ideas? 

Think about one of these wonderful gifts for your friends and family this Christmas.

ADRA
Christmas is a time to give and celebrate generosity that comes full circle.
This Christmas, will you give a meaningful gift to help a less fortunate child or family?  Your gift will help others thrive.  https://www.adra.org.nz/gift-catalogue/ 

Tradeaid
Tradeaid stores are running an in-store advent calendar promotion. Details can be found here: https://www.tradeaid.org.nz/news/advent-calendar-event/

Orphans Aid International
The Orphans Aid Christmas Wishlist went live today.  The wish list is an up to the minute way that people can help this Christmas. The items will be ticked off as they are donated.

Caritas
Caritas Gifts allow you to support Caritas’ work. When you buy a gift, making a donation on behalf of another, you help transform the lives of individuals, families and communities struggling to overcome poverty and injustice. 

Please have your order to Caritas by Friday 15 December to ensure you receive your gift card in time for use as a Christmas gift.”  For more details go to https://caritas.org.nz/get-involved/caritas-gifts

cbm New Zealand
This Christmas, give a gift that is meaningful and transform the lives of people living with the double disadvantage of poverty and disability.

The annual Gifts of Life Christmas programme: https://cbm-nz.org.nz/gifts-of-life.

+ CID Member of the Moment: Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand

The Fairtrade vision is a world in which all small-scale producers farmers and workers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and decide on their future.

Since 2006, Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) has been partnering with both producers and consumers to pursue our joint vision of a world where trade is made fair, producers and their communities are empowered and sustainable development is fostered.

Read more here

This holiday season, Fairtrade ANZ is giving the public even more reason to show some love to Fairtrade products and the farmers who produce them.

"Our 12 Days of Christmas Campaign gives conscious consumers across New Zealand & Australia the chance to win an assortment of delicious, ethically sourced treats. Check it out here" https://12-days-of-fairtrade.ourcontest.io/Q4KCG4