SCHR Position Paper on Humanitarian Military Relations

The positions, actions and strategies of armed forces play an essential role in securing or endangering the scope for humanitarian action in situations of armed conflict, as do the positions, actions and behaviour of the humanitarian actors themselves. The relations between humanitarian and military actors thus play a key role in the future scope of humanitarian action.

This document looks primarily at how SCHR agencies consider relations with armed forces in situations of armed conflict, or natural disasters taking place in contested environments. This paper contributes to the current debate on humanitarian-military relations and fosters a better understanding of the respective roles and the necessity for humanitarian actors to commit to the positions elaborated herein. It is intended to inform and guide the internal policies and practical guidance of SCHR agencies.

SCHR Position Paper onHumanitarian-Military Relations

(Policies and guidelines)
(Position papers)

ACT Alliance Policy on Advisory Groups and Communities of Practice

This policy outlines the role of ACT groups in the alliance, clarifies distinctions between groups and provides guidance on the architecture, role, group structure, working methods and funding of groups, and the role of the secretariat.

The Advisory Groups are made up of 8-10 committed individuals with relevant expertise and balanced geographical and gender representation to form a fixed ‘strategic hub’ of expertise for a 4 year strategic period. Intentional linkages are created, facilitated by the secretariat, which enable the Advisory Group hub to host a looser network of actors within the alliance with expertise in the strategic area. This network includes relevant CoPs, individuals with specific expertise, sub-working groups formed for a time-bound specific piece of work, other networks of member-staff with specific interest/expertise relevant to that advisory group, interested forums, Governance etc. These looser elements of the network are more flexible to specific needs arising from the membership and anchored to the alliance structures through one of the Advisory Group ‘hubs’.

In particular, the linkages with the ACT forums are strengthened so that the Advisory Groups and Communities of Practice are able to benefit from the wealth of experience and resources in the forums, and equally that the linkages exist so that the forums are able to access what they need from the Advisory Groups or Communities of Practice.

A secretariat Focal Point engages with each Advisory Group. This focal point role ensures that information is shared, that the network is actively built and that the governance has access to the Advisory Group and the broader network for strategic advice. The secretariat focal point is a connecter and enabler, facilitating the Advisory Group in this role.

The ACT Alliance policy on advisory groups and communities of practice is available in English, French and Spanish.

Please note that the English version has been updated, while the French and Spanish versions have not. Updated translations will be available shortly.

ACT Alliance Policy on advisory structures EN 2019  

Revised ACT Alliance policy on advisory groups and CoPs French

Revised ACT Alliance policy on advisory groups and CoPs Spanish

(Policies and guidelines)
(Position papers)

ACT National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums policy

ACT forums are shared platforms or spaces comprising ACT members and observers who are engaged in a particular country, sub-region or region. The main objective of an ACT forum is to increase the effectiveness and impact of the humanitarian assistance and development work being undertaken by members through improved coordination.

National, Sub-regional and Regional Forums

In most cases, forums are most effective when members work together at the national level as they can undertake joint analysis of the country together and explore opportunities for collaboration in their humanitarian, development and advocacy work. However, at times, it is more effective for members to work together in sub-regional and regional forums; for example, in regions where there are few local ACT members (e.g. the Pacific, Eastern Europe and the Middle East) or when the work of members transcends national borders (eg: refugees, food crises, political conflict etc). In some regions, national ACT forums have also met together regionally to share information and develop regional strategies (e.g. Europe and North America). This Policy is therefore applicable to both national, sub-regional and regional forums.

An ACT forum is part of ACT Alliance and is not a separate entity. ACT does not promote the establishment of formalised structures with statutes, by-laws etc but rather encourages members to develop cooperative ways of working which should be defined by a Memorandum of Understanding.

The ACT Alliance National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums Policy is available in English, French and Spanish.

ACT National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums Policy 2018

ACT National, Sub-Regional and National Forums Policy 2018 FR

ACT National, Sub-Regional and National Forums Policy 2018 SP

ACT National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums policy

ACT forums are shared platforms or spaces comprising ACT members and observers who are engaged in a particular country, sub-region or region. The main objective of an ACT forum is to increase the effectiveness and impact of the humanitarian assistance and development work being undertaken by members through improved coordination.

National, Sub-regional and Regional Forums

In most cases, forums are most effective when members work together at the national level as they can undertake joint analysis of the country together and explore opportunities for collaboration in their humanitarian, development and advocacy work. However, at times, it is more effective for members to work together in sub-regional and regional forums; for example, in regions where there are few local ACT members (e.g. the Pacific, Eastern Europe and the Middle East) or when the work of members transcends national borders (eg: refugees, food crises, political conflict etc). In some regions, national ACT forums have also met together regionally to share information and develop regional strategies (e.g. Europe and North America). This Policy is therefore applicable to both national, sub-regional and regional forums.

An ACT forum is part of ACT Alliance and is not a separate entity. ACT does not promote the establishment of formalised structures with statutes, by-laws etc but rather encourages members to develop cooperative ways of working which should be defined by a Memorandum of Understanding.

The ACT Alliance National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums Policy is available in English, French and Spanish.

ACT National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums Policy 2018

ACT National, Sub-Regional and National Forums Policy 2018 FR

ACT National, Sub-Regional and National Forums Policy 2018 SP

ACT National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums policy

ACT forums are shared platforms or spaces comprising ACT members and observers who are engaged in a particular country, sub-region or region. The main objective of an ACT forum is to increase the effectiveness and impact of the humanitarian assistance and development work being undertaken by members through improved coordination.

National, Sub-regional and Regional Forums

In most cases, forums are most effective when members work together at the national level as they can undertake joint analysis of the country together and explore opportunities for collaboration in their humanitarian, development and advocacy work. However, at times, it is more effective for members to work together in sub-regional and regional forums; for example, in regions where there are few local ACT members (e.g. the Pacific, Eastern Europe and the Middle East) or when the work of members transcends national borders (eg: refugees, food crises, political conflict etc). In some regions, national ACT forums have also met together regionally to share information and develop regional strategies (e.g. Europe and North America). This Policy is therefore applicable to both national, sub-regional and regional forums.

An ACT forum is part of ACT Alliance and is not a separate entity. ACT does not promote the establishment of formalised structures with statutes, by-laws etc but rather encourages members to develop cooperative ways of working which should be defined by a Memorandum of Understanding.

The ACT Alliance National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums Policy is available in English, French and Spanish.

ACT National, Sub-Regional and Regional Forums Policy 2018

ACT National, Sub-Regional and National Forums Policy 2018 FR

ACT National, Sub-Regional and National Forums Policy 2018 SP

ACT Alliance Membership Disciplinary Policy

ACT aims to ensure that all members know their membership obligations and are aware of the standards of conduct and behaviour expected of them as members of the alliance and that they meet such standards. A number of systems have been put in place to support this process, including the following:

  • Each ACT member signs a membership agreement which outlines the roles and responsibilities of the ACT member and the ACT Alliance, including the relationship between: the ACT member, the ACT Alliance governing bodies and the ACT secretariat;
  • The ACT Quality and Accountability Framework (QAF) summarises standards of quality towards which ACT can be held to account by its stakeholders and by each other, outlining membership commitments;
  • The ACT Code of Good Practice and ACT Code of Conduct are signed by the member organisation and individual staff respectively; and
  • The ACT Complaints Policy and related guidelines provide clear policy and guidance for responding to and resolving complaints.

The purpose of the disciplinary policy is to uphold professional ACT standards and to ensure a procedure is in place for addressing issues related to membership non-compliance and complaints. The policy ensures that any breach of ACT policy is managed in a structured and consistent way and that members are treated fairly, promptly, and impartially. The policy keeps members informed of the procedures and actions they may face if agreed commitments are not met.

This policy applies to all ACT members.

It is available in English, French and Spanish.

Membership disciplinary policy ENGLISH

ACT Membership disciplinary policy FRENCH

ACT Membership disciplinary policy SPANISH

(Policies and guidelines)

Procedure for funding the ACT Secretariat

The ACT Alliance governance has agreed that the following elements will comprise the funding base for the ACT secretariat:

  • A Membership Fee that is paid by all members and observers
  • An Income Based Fee (IBF) that is paid by all organisations whose income is over US$1 million. The income-related fee would be based on a percentage of the total income of the organisation as set by the Governance Board
  • An International Coordination Fee (ICF) which is levied on appeals issued by the ACT secretariat
  • Voluntary contributions to the core budget will be sought
  • Programme Support for Specific Initiatives

Procedure for Funding the ACT Alliance Secretariat – 2018

(Policies and guidelines)

ACT Alliance advocacy policy and procedures

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]Advocacy is a means to address power inequalities across the world. The fact that more than one billion people live in extreme poverty demonstrates that economic, political and social structures at all levels – from global to local – are not working for poor people.

While the rich and powerful over-consume their fair share of global resources, unfair economic systems and financial markets hinder the ability of poor countries to promote appropriate and sustainable development models, and prevent poor people from moving out of poverty to a situation of well being. As well as working against poor countries globally, power imbalances and inequalities within countries lead to marginalisation, political oppression and social exclusion.

This policy builds upon the vision statement of the ACT Alliance, that “United in the common task of all Christians to manifest God’s unconditional love for all people, the ACT Alliance works towards a world community where all God’s creation lives with dignity, justice, peace, and full respect for human rights and creation.”

The strategic plan for the ACT Alliance for the period of 2011-2014 establishes “Advocacy for justice” as one of its six strategic aims. The alliance will, in this period, establish foundations for advocacy, support country related advocacy, strengthen humanitarian advocacy, initiate and sustain advocacy on climate change, facilitate joint advocacy work between its members and build ecumenical and strategic alliances.

The purpose of this olicy is to give information and guidance to ACT Alliance members and structures, including national and regional ACT forums, advisory groups and communities of practice the secretariat and governance bodies on how advocacy should be conducted within the ACT Alliance. It is a mandatory policy that applies to all ACT advocacy work. The overall objective is to achieve positive change for the people and communities with whom we work and to promote continuous improvement in the quality of ACT’s work.

The ACT Alliance Advocacy Policy and Procedures is available in English, French and Spanish.

ACT advocacy policy and procedures_ENGLISH

ACT advocacy policy and procedures_FRENCH

ACT Advocacy Policy and Procedures 2011 SP

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Our understanding of development

ACT Alliance’s understanding of transformational development draws from its theological affirmation that all persons are created in the image of God with the right and potential to live just, humane and dignified lives in sustainable communities. Profession of faith requires the rejection of those conditions, structures and systems which perpetuate poverty, injustice, the abuse of human rights and the destruction of the environment.

Transformational development is about taking action so that all peoples’ human and God-given rights are upheld. In an increasingly globalised world, lives are increasingly interlinked. Transformational development therefore involves change for all those involved; those with power, wealth and influence who control and use more than their share of resources and those most adversely affected by oppressive structures and systems. Adopting a transformational development approach commits ACT members to mutual learning through joint analysis, action and reflection.

This document is available in English, French and Spanish.

Our Understanding of Development_ENGLISH

Our Understanding of Development_FRENCH

Our Understanding of Development_SPANISH

(Policies and guidelines)