Jersey International Development Network

The Jersey International Development Network brings together Islanders with an interest in international development or humanitarian aid. We discuss current crises, debate the latest trends, and hear from leading actors in the sector.

The Jersey International Development Network aims to meet every three months and subscribing is open to all.

The network provides an opportunity for Islanders to learn more about overseas aid and how Jersey is making a difference on the international stage. It’s also a chance to join the dots of our philanthropic island, bringing together interested actors from charities, finance, government, philanthropy and the private sector.

To take part in future network events, please sign up to our newsletter.

Upcoming event: Wednesday 18th October: Cash Assistance

This event, in partnership with our partner British Red Cross, will involve a discussion of Cash Assistance in the context of humanitarian aid with guest speakers Richard Blewitt, Head of International and Emma Delo, Head of the Cash Hub. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 at 5:45 PM at the JCG school hall. Entry is free, but space is limited, so reserve your place now on Eventbrite.

Previous Events:

Climate Emergencies - March 2023

In March 2023 we hosted Claas Beecken, Humanitarian Lead at international development charity CARE International UK. Claas discussed how climate change is impacting natural disasters, what humanitarian agencies are doing about this and how funding from Jersey is helping people hit by the severe drought in the Horn of Africa.

The free event saw more than 70 Islanders come together to discuss the role climate change is playing in what is “the largest global food crisis in modern history”. “Acute food insecurity is escalating. In 2023, at least 345 million people across 53 countries are expected to face acute food insecurity and need urgent assistance – this is double the number of people who faced these conditions in 2020.  Woman and girls are less likely to access food and food insecurity increases the risk of violence against women and girls,” said Claas.

The JIDN event, the first since the global pandemic, was opened by the Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey.  To find out more about JOA, register at  www.joa.je/get-involved/signup.

50 Years of Volunteering - April 2022

In April 2022, we hosted an event calling on islanders to have their say on the next 50 years of volunteering as part of the 50th anniversary of our Community Work Projects volunteering programme. Attended by over 100 islanders, the panel of international and local experts, along with a lovey audience, shared their views about the future of volunteering.

The panel discussed the outcomes of several pieces of international research and how this will steer and shape JOA’s volunteering programme over the coming decades.

The panel:

  • Alice Chadwick El-Ali, Senior Research and Policy Officer, UK Collaborative on Development Research
  • David Jordan OBE, Chairman, Sand Dams Worldwide,
  • Philip Goodwin, CEO, VSO International
  • Deputy Carolyn Labey, Jersey’s Minister for International Development, Chair of the JOA Commission and former CWP volunteer
  • Mike Haden, Founder of Jersey charity, Hands Around the World Jersey

“We are incredibly proud that the JOA's volunteering scheme has reached its 50th year and even more thrilled that we continue to be oversubscribed with applicants for every project. It says an incredible amount about the people of Jersey that so many Islanders are willing to give their time and their skills. I am immensely proud of those who volunteer for the programme."

Deputy Carolyn Labey
Jersey’s Minister for International Development & Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid,