What is ACT Development?

ACT Development brings together churches and related organizations in a new global alliance aimed at eradicating poverty, injustice and the abuse of human rights. This alliance will focus on long-term development, building on the emergency response work already undertaken by ACT International (Action by Churches Together). 

What will ACT Development do?

Participants in the Alliance will:

• commit themselves to high quality development work based on shared values

• meet together at the national, regional and global level to reflect on their development work, share analyses, and plan cooperative activities

• undertake joint development programmes

• work collaboratively in advocacy

• share a family name (through co-branding their organization’s name with the name of ACT Development) and enhance the visibility of the ecumenical family’s work in development.  

What won’t ACT Development do?

ACT Development is not a mechanism for transferring funds between donor and implementer. In this way, it is different from ACT International which mobilizes resources for implementers to use in emergencies. Participants in ACT Development will continue to decide who they support or receive funds from and bilateral funding will continue.  

Who can participate?

Participants must be:

• either a member church of the World Council of Churches (WCC), a department of a member church or an organization affiliated with at least one member church through governance

• mandated to work in development and have a track record of significant engagement in this work

• either a national, regional or global body

• adhere to the principles and policies of ACT Development

• pay an annual participation fee and supplementary contribution as appropriate

• have audited accounts 

Observers: Churches and ecumenical organizations who do not meet all of the criteria can apply to be observers. Observers can participate in most activities of the Alliance, (except decision-making processes) but cannot use the ACT Development name or logo. Observers pay an annual fee. 

Relating to other ecumenical organizations and instruments

Global

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has an ex-officio position on the Executive Committee of ACT Development, which it currently convenes and moderates.

ACT Development and ACT International are currently working towards unifying to become a single global alliance with a common name for work in emergency relief, development and advocacy.

The ACT alliances work closely with the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.

National

At the national level, participants are committed to working with existing ecumenical instruments of collaboration such as ACT forums. 

What does it cost?

Participants pay an annual fee of US$1,000 (US$500 for observers) and those who have an annual income of more than US$1 million make a supplementary contribution based on income. 

When did ACT Development start?

After two years of consultations with potential participants and other interested organisations, the first general assembly for all participants and observers was held in February 2007 and a small secretariat was established in Geneva. 

How can we apply?

A more detailed Guide to ACT Development and application form is available here, or can be obtained from one of the contact people below. 

Contact details

For further information, please contact:

Dr William Temu, Convenor of the ACT Development Executive Committee

Ms Jill Hawkey, Director, ACT Development

Ms Faautu Talapusi, Administrator, ACT Development

Mr Sean Hawkey, Communication Officer, ACT Development