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
The Psychosocial Response and Education Preparedness Program (PREPP)
Climate Change Displacement Dialogue Speaker Series
Emergency Management in Hospitals & Healthcare Speaker Series
From Distanced to Connected: COVID-19 Five-Years On
Business Continuity and Resilience Speaker Series
Drones for Public Health, Safety, Risk, Humanitarian and Emergency Management Speaker Series
Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series
AI and Feminism: Foundations of a Critical Dialogue on Gender, Power, and Technology
Drone Pilot Microcredit Course January 18, 2025
Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Speaker Series
Climate Change Emergencies & Cultural Heritage Speaker Series
Upcoming Events
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
Emergency Management in Hospitals & Healthcare
SESSION 2 WEDNESDAY APRIL 2 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Speaker: Lisa Tarini, Bsc - Emergency Preparedness Advisor, Health Sciences North, Sudbury, Ontario
Topic: Code Aqua: Flooding at Health Sciences North
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
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
Drones for Public Health, Safety, Risk, Humanitarian and Emergency Management Speaker Series
SESSION 5 THURSDAY MARCH 20 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Speaker: Vaidehi, B.A.Sc, P.Eng - Manager, Operations and Sustainability; RPAS Pilot (Advanced Operations), Transport Canada
Topic: Drones for Environmental Science: Innovations in Bathymetric Mapping, Mineral Exploration, Contaminant Tracking, and Vegetation Health Monitoring
WEDNESDAY MARCH 12 9:00AM-5:00PM (EDT)
With the increasing frequency and severity of natural and human-made disasters, there is a growing need for professionals trained in disaster and emergency management. Technological advancements have transformed the field, introducing tools like virtual reality simulations, drone technology, and geographic information systems (GIS) for disaster response.
Open To: High school students (ages 14-18) related to York University Faculty & Staff
Location: ADERSIM Lab, Schulich School of Business, Rm. N004 (Basement Floor), 111 Ian MacDonald Blvd, York University, Keele Campus
TUESDAY MARCH 11 9:00AM-9:00PM (EDT)
9:00AM - 6:00PM
From Distanced to Connected: COVID-19 Five-Years On
A Reflective Gallery of COVID-19 Lived Experiences
&
6:00PM - 9:00PM
From Distanced to Connected: COVID-19 Five-Years On
Strengthening Our Collective Capacities Against COVID-19 Stigma Workshop
Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series
SESSION 5 TUESDAY MARCH 11 8:00AM-10:00AM (EDT)
Panelists:
Ai Tanimizu — Nursing Technical Officer, World Health Organization, Southeast Asia Regional Office.
Dr. Vaishali Rajsinh Mohite – Dean, Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences.
Asiya Ibrahim – Dean, School of Nursing, Maldives National University.
Dr. Unmona Borgohain Saikia – Professor Cum Principal, College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Guwahati. Govt of India.
Dr. Diki Wamgmo — Dean, Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing.
Dr. Supapak Phetrasuwan – Associate Dean, Faculty of Nursing, WHO Collaborating Centre, Mahidol University.
Moderator:
Dr. Phalakshi Manjrekar - Director of Nursing, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Center; NIGH Board of Directors Representing India.
Business Continuity and Resilience Speaker Series
SESSION 4 THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27 11:30AM-12:30PM (EST)
Speaker: Dr. Riana Steen, Associate Professor, BI Norwegian Business School, Department of Auditing and Business Analytics
Topic: Resilient Business Continuity Management System: Preparing for the unexpected
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 07 08:30AM-4:00PM (EST)
Mass Vaccination Challenges: Lessons from Canadian First Nations and Remote Communities Symposium
&
Mass Vaccination Simulation Workshop
VIRTUAL SESSION 19 FEBRUARY 3, 12:00-1:00PM EDT
Speaker: Dr. Marcus R. Létourneau, Lecturer, School of Planning Waterloo University. President M. R. Letourneau and Associates Inc.
Topic: The more things change, the more they stay the same’: Reflections on the integration of climate change considerations and risk management into Ontario’s Heritage Policy Framework