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
Drones for Public Health, Safety, Risk, Humanitarian and Emergency Management Speaker Series
Drone Pilot Microcredit Course July 26, 2025
Emergency Management in Hospitals & Healthcare Speaker Series
Tech Innovators Summer Camp: Exploring the Future
AI and Feminism: Foundations of a Critical Dialogue on Gender, Power, and Technology
Climate Change Emergencies & Cultural Heritage Speaker Series
The Psychosocial Response and Education Preparedness Program (PREPP)
Climate Migration Futures Course
Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series
Climate Change Displacement Dialogue Speaker Series
From Distanced to Connected: COVID-19 Five-Years On
Upcoming Events
Drones for Public Health, Safety, Risk, Humanitarian and Emergency Management Speaker Series
SESSION 10 THURSDAY JULY 17 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Speaker: Steve Donovan, Operations Manager, Foremost UAS Test Range
Topic: BVLOS Testing at the Foremost UAS Test Range and Developing an Exit Strategy to Fly BVLOS Successfully Outside the Range
SATURDAY 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
Emergency Management in Hospitals & Healthcare
SESSION 6 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 06 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)
Panelists:
Kassondra Stockman-Souza - Emergency Preparedness Advisor, Halton Healthcare
Chris Khokhar - Emergency Preparedness Consultant, Nova Scotia Health - Central Zone
Dr. Delwin Ferguson - Emergency Preparedness Manager, Nova Scotia Health - Central Zone
Andrew Moull - Manager, Disaster and Emergency Management, Hamilton Health Sciences
Topic: Air Quality Events for Hospitals: Code Grey - External Air Exclusion
Tech Innovators Summer Camp: Exploring the Future
Dates: August 11th to August 15th, 2025
Time: From 8:00 AM to 5.00 PM EDT
Location: York University, Schulich School, Basement, Rm. N004, Schulich School of Business.
AI and Feminism: Foundations of a Critical Dialogue on Gender, Power, and Technology
Date: August 30th, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 5.00 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
Location: Virtual via Zoom
VIRTUAL SESSION 23 JULY 07, 12:00-1:00PM EDT
Speakers:
- Alireza Farrokhi - Manager, Heritage Places Conservation, Canadian Conservation Institute
- Evan Oxland - Built Heritage Advisor, Parks Canada
Topic: Disaster Risk Management at Canadian Heritage Places
Localizing the Canadian Supply Chain - Understanding Sector-Specific Impacts on U.S. Tariffs
SESSION 6 THURSDAY JULY 19 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Topic: From Forest to Foundation: Strengthening Canada's Wood Supply Chain Amid U.S. Tariffs
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
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