Development and Non-Development Definitions Policy

COR874 V1

ACEM’s development activities must be clearly separated from non-development activities across the following domains: 

• programming;
• expenditure reporting; 
• fundraising;
• advocacy campaigns;
• communications;
• choice for donors; and
• partners. 

This Policy ensures there are clear and identifiable distinctions between international development activities and non-development activities at ACEM consistent with best practice guidance in the development sector.

ACEM/the College means the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.

College member means a person admitted as a member of the College pursuant to the provisions of the ACEM Constitution and associated regulations.

Governing body means the ACEM Board, the Council of Advocacy, Practice and Partnerships (CAPP), or the Council of Education (COE).

Trainee means trainees enrolled in and undertaking the FACEM Training Program and, for the purposes of this policy, also includes Emergency Medicine Certificate, Emergency Medicine Diploma, Emergency Medicine Advanced Diploma and Diploma of Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine (DipPHRM) trainees, and Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) undertaking College requirements for the purpose of attaining eligibility for election to Fellowship of the College.

Sustainability/Sustainable development means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, while ensuring a balance between economic stability, environmental care and social well-being.

Global Emergency Care means the integration of emergency care with the field of global health. Global Emergency Care (GEC) emphasises the transnational aspects of disease and healthcare, the synthesis of public health and clinical care, and the pursuit of equity across populations. GEC practice incorporates clinical service provision, capacity building and health systems strengthening for time-sensitive healthcare, and it includes development activities as well as aspects of disaster health, humanitarian assistance and surge response.  

Humanitarian Response means action intended to preserve life, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of conflict, disasters and other humanitarian crises, as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations. Humanitarian response is guided and governed by the key principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. This is distinct from development activities defined below.

Development activities are activities that aim to reduce poverty and address issues of global justice equity through: 

• community projects and education;
• emergency management; 
• advocacy; 
• research;
• volunteering; 
• the provision of technical and professional services and/or resources;
• environmental protection and/or restoration; and 
• promotion and protection of human rights.

Development seeks to improve the conditions of communities in a sustainable way. It is based on working with communities, rather than on behalf of communities, to break the cycle of poverty and dependence so that their fundamental needs are met and the quality of their lives enhanced. Development activities seek to address the root causes of the need identified and in doing so contribute to reducing that need in the long term. 

Global Emergency Care (GEC) development activities may include but are not limited to:

• providing leadership and expertise in sustainable and ethical GEC capacity development and GEC volunteering for development with ACEM membership and key global health partners;
• collaborating with in-country partners, international organisations and local governments to support locally led capacity development to deliver safe and effective emergency care;
• advocating for emergency care as a core component for the attainment of health equity in universal health coverage (UHC) and increased investment in emergency care system development, preparedness and resilience; and
• contributing to the body of accessible GEC research and building the capacity of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to lead GEC research.

3. Non-Development Activities

Non-development activities are those activities that are political, religious or welfare-related (see definitions below). In the context in which ACEM operates, political, religious or welfare-related activities are considered non-development activities when engagement in these activities requires the use of resources such as time, money and personnel. For staff and volunteers, this is specific to the period of time in which an individual is contracted to a role with ACEM. 

3.1 Political activities

Supporting a political party, candidate or organisation affiliated to a political party. Examples include: 

• staff being involved in political party activities;
• using funds or resources to facilitate or support a specific political party, candidate, or political party organisation in a local, regional or general / national election; and
• using funds or resources to facilitate or support a particular politician or faction to gain power within a government or within a political party structure.  

3.2 Religious activities

The use of funds, time, personnel, or other resources to support or promote a particular religion, including activities undertaken with the intention of converting individuals or groups from one faith and/or denomination to another. Activities that build up religious structures (including infrastructure, training or organisational activities) are also considered religious activities, unless those structures are specifically designed to provide non-denominational development outcomes.  

3.3 Welfare activities

Defined as care and maintenance, other than in refugee and emergency situations (humanitarian response), welfare activities aim to maintain people in a particular condition on a longer-term basis. Welfare programs do not normally expect to achieve substantial and broad impact on social and economic conditions in the community. Welfare may be provided on an individual or family basis including home-based and institutional care programs, such as: 

• orphanages;
• homes for the elderly;
• hospices; and
• the provision of food for those who are destitute.  

4. Associated Documents

• Development Principles in Global Emergency Care Policy (COR875)
• Defining ‘Developing Country’ Policy (COR446)

5. References

Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) Recognised Development Expenditure (RDE) Explanatory Notes. Available: https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/rde_notes.pdf [Accessed 25 October 2022]

ACFID Good Practice Toolkit. Available: https://acfid.asn.au/content/commitment-73-we-are-accountable-our-stakeholders [Accessed 25 October 2022]