CID Weekly: Dawn Raids formal apology, and the G7 'Moral failure'.

+ Vaccine roll out dashboard - last 7 days

+ Dawn Raids - About Time

Josiah Tualamali'i, a passionate advocate for Pasifika youth, campaigner for mental health, and member of CID's Pacific Reset Group, has played a key role in the government's apology for the 1970s Dawn Raids.

He has been writing letters to the Prime Minister for months, and on Friday was due to present a petition seeking a formal apology, with 7366 signatures. 

Josiah embodies our unique development relationship of whanaungatanga (extended family) with the Pacific, where the diaspora community here move effortlessly along the 'corridors' between Aotearoa and the Pacific. Development at home and in the Pacific are one and the same, linked by family, friends and culture.

He was “moved to tears” by the Government's surprise announcement of a formal apology to the Pasifika community for the race-based dawn raids of the 1970s.

A short video gives an overview of the infamous ‘Dawn Raids’ regime. It explores the landscape of Aotearoa in the 1970’s and the global political factors that led to the economic decline that turned the tide of public sentiment against ‘illegal immigrants' - who had been invited to this country to fill a labour shortage. 

You can view it on CoconetTV here.

+ G7 - 'Moral failure' 

Leaders of the G7 - the major industrial nations have pledged one billion Covid vaccine doses to developing countries. America alone plans to give away 500m doses.

The communique issued by the summit pledges to "end the pandemic and prepare for the future by driving an intensified international effort, starting immediately" either either directly or through the Covax scheme, which is being co-led by the World Health Organization, Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

This is the least they could do - and not enough.

Estimates predict it will take about 11 billion globally to vaccinate 70% of the world's population - the requirement to  reach' herd immunity' globally and stop the vaccine mutating out of control.

"Britain, which has ordered five times the doses it needs, is only now giving any away. Covax is billions of jabs short. For the G7 to do anything less than fund it in full, with a clear schedule for handing over cash and vials, would be a travesty," writes the Economist this week.

Former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown called the summit an “unforgivable moral failure” over meager progress on global vaccine plans, and NGOs were united in their criticism of a “historic missed opportunity.”

The UK also dismissed the suggestion that patents for vaccines should be waived in order to boost global supply, something which the US backed last month.

+ 'Humanitarian' focus in Myanmar prolonging crisis?
An op ed by Igor Blazevic has highlighted concerns over the humanitarian focus in Myanmar.

The situation in Myanmar has become progressively worse, with the economy coming to a standstill, millions of citizens without income for months, and reserves running low. The column argues that 'when 'humanitarian issues' replace all other issues as the main priority, then 'humanitarianism' starts to become a cover for the absence of action on the issues that really matter to end the violence, conflict and spiralling crisis.'

The column makes a series of recommendations for ASEAN's approach, including starting talks with the National Unity Government representatives and involving them in any relevant ASEAN meetings, supporting the UN resolution to impose an arms embargo, and demanding the immediate release of all political prisoners. 

Read the full article here.

+ NSW's creation of anti-slavery commissioner highlights need for NZ to take action

After the Modern Slavery Act was passed in 2018 in Australia, certain actions are yet to be implemented, such as the creation of an anti-slavery commissioner. New South Wales is now leading the way with the creation of this role. 

International Justice Mission chief executive Steve Baird said government inaction on the laws needed to end, and the reforms were overdue.

“From Australians online exploiting children held overseas, to Australian businesses profiting from the use of slave labour overseas, modern slavery is in our backyard and we have a moral responsibility to act,” Mr Baird said.

This comes as Trade Aid and World Vision are set to present their Modern Slavery petition to New Zealand Parliament on 29th June. Click here for more details.

+ Anglican Mission: Get One. Give One Campaign 

Anglican Missions invites you to join their Get one. Give one. campaign!

As vaccines roll out across Aotearoa New Zealand, in many low-income countries vaccines may not be available; there may not be enough of them to go around; and their cost will significantly impact availability thereby increasing inequality.  

In being thankful for the availability of vaccines in our country, we are aware that many people are not so fortunate. The Get One, Give One campaign aims to protect and support the poorest and most vulnerable.  

Through this campaign, New Zealanders can contribute to a broad global initiative that aims to fund support for vaccine equality in countries that would otherwise miss out.  

The Facts:

• Funding will be captured through Givealittle to direct donors to a central location that will include all participating partners logos.
• Funding will be directed straight through to UNICEFs COVAX fund.
• Social media and communications materials will be made available via dropbox for partners to add their own logos.

+ Opportunity to facilitate a session at the 2021 CID Conference!
 

The 2021 CID Conference will bring together New Zealand and Pacific international development sectors after a tumultuous year to reflect, and to regroup on a new blueprint for aid and development post COVID. 

Through this conference we wish to: 

• role-model localisations and partnership, 
• help define transformation, and 
• explore how we can improve resilience. 

Participants will be a combination of INGO CEOs, MFAT staff, politicians, CEOs of sector partners (i.e. partners from businesses, academia, and CRIs), staff from our member organisations, interested members of the public, and students. 

If your organisation is interested in facilitating a CID Member session at the CID Annual Conference on 26th October 2021, we would love to hear from you! This opportunity is open to all CID Members, and is a chance to present and share collective challenges with representatives from across the sector. Please fill in this form with an outline of your proposed session idea. Sessions will provide a collaborative, active learning environment for the participants. Participants will leave with skills, knowledge, or materials that they can use in their own practice or work. 

Fill in the Expressions of Interest form here.
 

+ Oxfam Aotearoa response to Climate Change Commission Report

Oxfam Aotearoa provided their response to the Climate Change Commission report released last week at parliament, that outlines recommendations for Aotearoa, New Zealand’s climate action over the next 15 years.   

Oxfam Aotearoa’s Campaign Lead Alex Johnston says that report marks a step up in the country’s response to climate change, but that the final does not reflect the urgency around the current climate crisis we’re in. Johnston says that although we can’t deny this is a historic moment, we need to do more.  

A copy of the Climate Change Commission's report, Ināia tonu nei: a low emissions future for Aotearoa, is available here.