The real and present threat to DFID: why it matters

Since the UK General Election in December, rumours abound that the newly elected Prime Minister and his advisors are planning big changes to Whitehall Departments, including folding the Department for International Development into the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Jane Salmonson, Alliance CEO, writes why a possible merger between these two departments would be bad news all round, and risks vital DFID spending being diverted away from its primary purpose - ending extreme poverty.

Marginalised voices crucial to 2020 climate talks in Glasgow

Alliance members came together in late December to begin planning how best they can work together in the coming months to make sure that the voices of those they represent are heard when COP26 comes to Glasgow in November.

The broad and diverse Alliance membership is uniquely placed in Scotland to amplify the voices of communities overseas affected by the climate crisis. However, to do so we will need to act quickly and build on the momentum of our December meeting.

Entering the ‘decade of delivery’: some new year reflections

At the start of a new year or decade, it is common place to stop and think about about all that’s changed and all that’s not.

As the 10-year countdown to achieve the SDGs begins, we offer some new year reflections - looking back at 2019 and ahead to 2020 - including links to anything important you might have missed over the past 12 months.

Human Rights Defender who visited Scotland arrested in Zambia

Laura Miti, Executive Director at Zambian civil society group - Alliance for Community Action - visited Scotland’s International Development Alliance on 9 December 2019 on International Anti-corruption Day for a round-table with members.

Shockingly, Laura was arrested along with a colleague on 21 December back in Zambia during negotiations to release detained musician Pilato in Livingstone .

Find out more and watch our interview with Laura

WHAT ARE OUR MEMBERS UP TO?

The Global Standard for Volunteering for Development

VSO and the International Forum for Volunteering in Development launched their Global Standard at the International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations’ Conference in Kigali, Rwanda towards the end of 2019.

Pamela Woodburn, Major Partnerships Manager (Scotland) at VSO, tells us why this is important.

Don't want it, don't export it -Private Financing failing communities everywhere

Dr Line Christensen, Campaign Director at Jubilee Scotland, writes about why Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are not the answer for ensuring infrastructure is fit for purpose in Scotland and overseas.

Investing in Impact: A big decision for a small charity...

Challenges facing small charities to fulfill their mission can often feel insurmountable.

Ben Margetts, newly appointed Director at at On Call Africa, tells us why their recent investment in staff and capacity building has been a worthwhile endeavour.