{"id":217,"date":"2021-06-02T20:58:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-03T00:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/cifal\/?page_id=217"},"modified":"2026-03-10T11:07:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:07:07","slug":"cifal-network","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/cifal\/cifal-network\/","title":{"rendered":"CIFAL Global Network"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns card-deck aspect-ratio is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column card rounded-0 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large mb-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/cifal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2026\/03\/March-2026-UNITAR-website_CIFAL-map_851x532px-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10826\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/cifal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2026\/03\/March-2026-UNITAR-website_CIFAL-map_851x532px-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/cifal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2026\/03\/March-2026-UNITAR-website_CIFAL-map_851x532px-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/cifal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2026\/03\/March-2026-UNITAR-website_CIFAL-map_851x532px-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/cifal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2026\/03\/March-2026-UNITAR-website_CIFAL-map_851x532px-2048x1280.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>CIFAL&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>stands for \"<strong>C<\/strong>entre&nbsp;<strong>I<\/strong>nternational de&nbsp;<strong>F<\/strong>ormation&nbsp;des&nbsp;<strong>A<\/strong>utorit\u00e9s et&nbsp;<strong>L<\/strong>eaders\" (in French), and \"<strong>C<\/strong>entro&nbsp;<strong>I<\/strong>nternacional de&nbsp;<strong>F<\/strong>ormaci\u00f3n para&nbsp;<strong>A<\/strong>utoridades y&nbsp;<strong>L<\/strong>\u00edderes\" (in Spanish).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/unitar.org\/sustainable-development-goals\/people\/our-portfolio\/cifal-global-network\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CIFAL Global Network<\/a> is composed of 30\u00a0International Training Centres for Authorities and Leaders. These CIFAL centres are located across Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, and the network is coordinated by UNITAR\u2019s Social Development Programme (SDP). \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of SDP\u2019s training services are delivered through the CIFAL Global Network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The CIFAL centres provide innovative training throughout the world and serve as hubs for the exchange of knowledge amongst government officials, the private sector and civil society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The eradication of poverty, hunger, environmental sustainability, risk reduction of natural disasters and provision of skills required to compete in a global economy, are only a few of the challenges that our governments and societies face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The CIFAL Global Network recognizes that there is a crucial need for capacity development in order to address these challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>The CIFAL Global Network\u2019s mission is to strengthen the capacities of government officials and civil society leaders, thus empowering them to advance sustainable development. &nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>While working together, the CIFAL centres address a wide range of issues, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sustainable development and poverty eradication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decentralized cooperation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Environmental sustainability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urbanization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gender equality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Health security<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public-private partnerships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>More information about the CIFAL Global Network, please view our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/unitar.org\/about\/offices-training-centres-around-world\/cifal-global-network\">CIFAL Global Network page<\/a>, as well as the dedicated pages for the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/unitar.org\/about\/offices-training-centres-around-world\/cifal-centres\">affiliated individual centers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There may be one near you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The CIFAL Approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The central purpose of the CIFAL&nbsp;training programmes is to develop and strengthen human capacities to better respond to development challenges and to facilitate City-to-City (C2C) partnerships. The CIFAL alliance&nbsp;provides a platform for dialogue and knowledge transfer on key development related issues. Through knowledge management methodologies, CIFALs provide networking opportunities that lead to collaboration, facilitation of peer-to-peer learning and exchange of best practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The CIFAL network was launched in 2003 and since inception&nbsp;has had significant impact on&nbsp;reaching beneficiaries world-wide.&nbsp;In 2020&nbsp;alone, the network&nbsp;reached more than 87,000&nbsp;beneficiaries through 236&nbsp;learning events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\"<em>[The CIFAL Network] meets a crucial need to reinforce capacities and exchange good practices among local authorities, the private sector and the United Nations\u201d.&nbsp;United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon<\/em>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/unitar.org\/sites\/default\/files\/media\/file\/unsg-speech-cifal2008.pdf\">Remarks to the UNITAR\/CIFAL Network Steering Committee, Atlanta, USA, 8 May 2008<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Target Audience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Primary beneficiaries are government officials from developing countries that are committed to taking a strategic approach to development. Beneficiaries include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Public officials from national, sub-national and local governments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Academics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community-based organizations(CBOs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private sector representatives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International organizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CIFAL Global Network Centres<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CIFAL Atlanta\u00a0(United States)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Bangkok (Thailand)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Banjul (The Gambia)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Curitiba\u00a0(Brazil)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Dakar\u00a0(Senegal)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Durban\u00a0(South Africa)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Flanders\u00a0(Belgium)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Honolulu (United States)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Istanbul\u00a0(T\u00fcrkiye)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Jeju\u00a0(South Korea)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Japan (Japan)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Kigali (Rwanda)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Lebanon (Lebanon)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL London (United Kingdom)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Madrid\u00a0(Spain)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Malaga\u00a0(Spain)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Merida\u00a0(Mexico)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Miami (United States)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Newcastle\u00a0(Australia)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Nigeria (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Philippines\u00a0(Philippines)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Plock\u00a0(Poland)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Shanghai\u00a0(China)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Singapore (Singapore)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Surrey (United Kingdom)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Tbilisi (Georgia)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL Victoria (Canada)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CIFAL York\u00a0(Canada)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UNITAR HQ (Switzerland)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CIFAL&nbsp;stands for \"Centre&nbsp;International de&nbsp;Formation&nbsp;des&nbsp;Autorit\u00e9s et&nbsp;Leaders\" (in French), and \"Centro&nbsp;Internacional de&nbsp;Formaci\u00f3n para&nbsp;Autoridades y&nbsp;L\u00edderes\" (in Spanish). The CIFAL Global Network is composed of 30\u00a0International Training Centres for Authorities and Leaders. These CIFAL centres are located across Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, and the network is coordinated by UNITAR\u2019s Social Development Programme (SDP). \u00a0\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":744,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-217","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>CIFAL Global Network - CIFAL<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/cifal\/cifal-network\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CIFAL Global Network - CIFAL\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"CIFAL&nbsp;stands for &quot;Centre&nbsp;International de&nbsp;Formation&nbsp;des&nbsp;Autorit\u00e9s et&nbsp;Leaders&quot; (in French), and &quot;Centro&nbsp;Internacional de&nbsp;Formaci\u00f3n para&nbsp;Autoridades y&nbsp;L\u00edderes&quot; (in Spanish). 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