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
Drone Pilot Microcredit Course April 26, 2025
Climate Change Emergencies & Cultural Heritage Speaker Series
The Psychosocial Response and Education Preparedness Program (PREPP)
Climate Migration Futures Course
Emergency Management in Hospitals & Healthcare Speaker Series
Drones for Public Health, Safety, Risk, Humanitarian and Emergency Management Speaker Series
Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series
Climate Change Displacement Dialogue Speaker Series
From Distanced to Connected: COVID-19 Five-Years On
AI and Feminism: Foundations of a Critical Dialogue on Gender, Power, and Technology
Upcoming Events
Localizing the Canadian Supply Chain - Understanding Sector-Specific Impacts on U.S. Tariffs
SESSION 4 THURSDAY MAY 22 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Topic: From Mine to Market: How tariffs and trade tensions are reshaping Canada's critical minerals strategy
SATURDAYS APRIL 26; MAY 24; JUNE 28; JULY 26 8:30AM-4:00PM (EDT)
Drone Pilot Microcredit Course
Location: ADERSIM Lab, N004, Schulich Building, York University
Instructor: Dr. Ali Asgary, Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, Director CIFAL York, Executive Director ADERSIM, York University, Holds Pilot Certificate for Advanced Operations
The Psychosocial Response and Education Preparedness Program (PREPP): Trauma resilience for public safety personnel ad disaster and emergency management students
Date: May 27 & 28, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM EDT (Toronto)
Location: ADERSIM Lab, Schulich School of Business, Rm. N004 (Basement Floor), 111 Ian MacDonald Blvd, York University, Keele Campus
June 2-6, 2025.
Climate Migration Futures Summer Course
Location: Hybrid-In Person (York University) and Online
Instructors: Dr. Erica Bower, Dr. Yvonne Su, Dr. Opportuna Kweka, Dr. Frank Ojwang, Dr. Roger Zetter, and Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino
Drones for Public Health, Safety, Risk, Humanitarian and Emergency Management Speaker Series
SESSION 8 THURSDAY MAY 15 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Speakers:
Shahab Moeini, Director, SubSphere
Gabriela Salazar, Project Manager & Geospatial Scientist, SubSphere
Saeedeh Madani, Project Manager & Geospatial Scientist, SubSphere
Topic: AI-Enhanced Drone-Based Demining Solutions
Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series
SESSION 7 DATE MAY 13 12:00PM-2:00PM (EDT)
Panelists:
Manuel Ballota, Policy Advisor, European Federation of Nurses Association (EFN)
Mary Malone, Professor, Florence Nightingale Faculty, King's College London
Dr. Alina Kushkyan, Founder, Erebuni Medical Academy Foundation, Yerevan, Armenia
Dr. Kristina Mikkoken, Professor, Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland
Moderators:
Dr. Deva-Marie Beck
Dr. Maria Theresa "Tess" Panizales
Emergency Management in Hospitals & Healthcare
SESSION 4 WEDNESDAY MAY 7 2 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)
Panelists:
Chris Teichroeb - Manager, Lower Mainland Fire Safety Program
Simon Bridgland, RN - Emergency Management Specialist, Niagara Health
Braeden Cockburn - Fire Marshall, Trillium Health Partners
Shawn Constantin - Security Supervisor, Health & Safety Advisor, Collingwood General & Marine Hospital
Mark McCormick - Fire Safety Officer, Halton Healthcare
Craig Brandon - Fire Life Safety Coordinator, Calgary & Central Zone, Alberta Health Services
Topic: Code Red: Fire Drills
VIRTUAL SESSION 21 MAY 5, 12:00-1:00PM EDT
Speakers:
- Carlos Morell, B.Arch, MS Conservation, CAHP –Principal at Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd. Architects (GBCA)
- Eric Charron, M.Arch, OAA, CAHP – Architect, Diamond and Schmitt Architects (DSAI)
Topic: Climate and Flood Resistance for Heritage Buildings
VR/XR Based Training & Education Speaker Series: Knowledge and Experience Sharing
SESSION 19 FRIDAY APRIL 25 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Speakers: Michael Rosas, Vice-President & General Manager, Virtualware; Fernando Blasco, Director of Sales in North America, Virtualware
Topic: Building an IL/VR (Immersive learning/Virtual reality) Training environment in Industry 5.0
Climate Change Displacement Dialogue Speaker Series
SESSION 6 WEDNESDAY MARCH 26 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Speaker: Dr. Hein de Haas
Professor, Sociology, University of Amsterdam; Professor, Migration and Development, University of Maastricht; Director, International Migration Institute, University of Oxford
Topic: Climate Refugees: The fabrication of a migration threat
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 07 08:30AM-4:00PM (EST)
Mass Vaccination Challenges: Lessons from Canadian First Nations and Remote Communities Symposium
&
Mass Vaccination Simulation Workshop