About
CIFAL York is part of UNITAR's global network of training centers for knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building for leaders, local authorities, and civil society. Established in 2020 as a partnership between UNITAR, York University and York Region, CIFAL York started its operation in June 2021 as the first CIFAL Centre in Canada.
Vision
CIFAL York envisions a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable world, empowering communities to overcome global challenges, while integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals for shaping a better future.
Mission
CIFAL York is dedicated to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and capacity building among government officials, the private sector, academia, and civil society. CIFAL York works towards a global outreach and positive change through bridging gaps and facilitating a range of inspirational training and research opportunities.
CIFAL York Focusing Areas
- Disaster Risk, Emergency Management and Humanitarian Actions
- Health, Development, Environment & Climate Change
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Entrepreneurship, Digital Technology, and Economic Development
- Advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals
CIFAL York Recent & Upcoming Events and Courses
Post-War Reconstruction: Towards Build-Back-Better & Sustainable Development
Unboxing the SDGs for People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership
VR/XR Based Training & Education Speaker Series
Emergency Management in Hospitals & Healthcare Speaker Series
Governance, Science, and Technology of Mass Evacuations Speaker Series
Emerging & Systemic Risks Monthly Lectures
Fluid Perspectives: Navigating the Future of Water
Post-Earthquake Recovery & Reconstruction International Summer School
Climate Change Emergencies & Cultural Heritage Speaker Series
Community Engagement EDI Report 2024
Introduction to Emergency Pet Services
Ontario Emergency Management Conference (partenered)
Upcoming Events
Link to Information & Registration
Topic: VR-Based Transformational Learning Experiences
Speaker:
Dr. Daniel Hawes, Adjunct Research Professor, School of Information Technology, Carleton University; Writer, Producer, Academic Research, and Technology Entrepreneur
Date: Friday, August 23, 2024 - 12:00PM - 1:00PM EDT
Location: Virtual on Zoom Webinar
Post-War Reconstruction: Towards Build-Back-Better & Sustainable Development
Day 1 - Post-War Recovery and Reconstruction
Day 2 - Post-War Housing Reconstruction
Day 3 - Participatory Processes & Cultural Heritage
SESSION 6 JULY 22, 2024 | 12PM-1PM EDT
Speaker:
Dr. Shital Desai, York Research Chair, Accessible Interaction Design; Director, Social and Technological Systems (SaTS) lab; Training Committee Vice-Lead, Connected Minds; Assistant Professor, Interaction Design, Department of Computational Arts, School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design, York University
Topic: Life-centred Futures: Sustainability, Interaction Design, and AI
VIRTUAL SESSION 14: JULY 8, 12:00-1:00PM EDT
Speaker:
Antonio Gomez-Palacio, Chair and Founding Partner, DIALOG Design
Topic: It's About People: Anchoring the Stewardship of Land and History in a Vision for the Future
SESSION 6 WEDNESDAY JULY 3 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Speakers:
Shaun O'Mara, Manager, Facilities Emergency Management, Island Health
Paul Wechselberger, Critical Infrastructure, Emergency, and Business Continuity Management Specialist, Facilities Maintenance and Operations, Island Health
Topic: Water Resiliency and Water Outage Planning for Hospitals
SESSION 2 TUESDAY JUNE 18 2:00PM-3:00PM (EDT)
Mass Evacuation Speaker Series
Topic: Mass Evacuation and First Nations
Speakers:
Dr. Tara K. McGee, Professor, University of Alberta
Jennifer Jesty, Emergency Resiliency Manager, Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq
Michelle Gervais, Stronger Together: Evacuation Partnerships
Maia Foster-Sanchez, Stronger Together: Evacuation Partnerships
SESSION 7 TUESDAY JUNE 11 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)
Nurses' Voices into the Future
Moderators:
Dr. Deva-Marie Beck, International Co-Director, Nightingale Initiative for Global Health
Cyril Ritchie, First Vice President, Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO); Nightingale Initiative for Global Health Board of Directors
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu, Chief Nursing Officer, World Health Organization (WHO)
PANEL DISCUSSION - WEDNESDAY JUNE 5 10:30AM-2:30PM (EDT)
Panel Title: Fluid Perspectives: Navigating the Future of Water
Panel 1 - Academic Representatives: Convergence in Water
Panel 2 - Government, Industry & Not-for-Profit: All for Water & Water for All
Panel 3 - Students: Education and Awareness
Link to Community Engagement EDI 2024 Report
Title: Bridging to Progress: Reinvigorating Transformative Change Towards Global Goals
Report authored by the CIFAL York Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
