Policy updates October 2020

ACT Communications Policy
The Communications Policy in general emphasizes that the ACT Secretariat relies on its members and forums to be sources and mediums of information sharing in communities. The update focuses on bringing the policy into line with the Global Strategy, with additional policies passed since it was last updated, including Child Safeguarding, Social Media, and others, as well as reflecting ACT’s commitment to Quality and Accountability through its CHS certification and the global legal realities of legislation like GDPR which affect communications work. It confirms ACT’s commitment to a localisation sustainable agenda, to a people-centred alliance and the humanitarian development nexus. In its communication work, the ACT Alliance seeks to raise up the voices of these communities accordingly.

Concerning the target audiences, the new policy focuses on ACT members’ staff and volunteers, church leaders and other key stakeholders. It specifies principles of communications at key events just as well as ethics and standards concerning pictures used for media work, informed and implied consent and the sign-off process. Members are further encouraged to assist in translation of ACT material that is of particular concern to them and their audiences.
 
ACT Branding Policy
The second communications-related policy that was updated is the Branding Policy.
Three chapters have been added to the latter: about the use of the word “Act” in member names, about branding in Advocacy contexts and a chapter offering further branding advice. In addition, a branding guide entitled “Leaving No one Behind” accompanies the Branding Policy and contains more technical information about ACT’s branding.