The Australian Council for International Development 2017 National Conference, held in Melbourne on November 1 and 2, saw the election of a new president for ACFID to lead Australia’s international development and charity sector — Susan Pascoe.

Pascoe was previously commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Although new to international development, she is not new to the legal and political aspects of charities and not-for-profits in Australia — experience which is expected to be highly valued by the sector.

Speaking with Devex at the conference, Pascoe explained that she too is excited to advocate for and support the sector in building a stronger Australian Aid program. And she is ready to get to work.

I personally think the work overseas aid organizations do is extraordinary in altruism. It is empathetic in its concern for others, it recognizes that we are a global family and we are not bounded by national borders, and it is also compassionate for the circumstances of others.

Read the full article by Lisa Cornish about Australian aid from Devex International Development