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Global Networks

International Education Consortiums

To further the internationalization of higher education, promote intercultural learning, and protect international scholars and students, York University is a member of a number of educational consortiums headquartered in Canada and abroad.

Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE)

The Canadian Bureau of International Education is the primary advocate and network for supporting international education in Canada. Through scholarships, knowledge mobilization, and political dialogue, CBIE promotes inclusive and sustainable international education in Canada and abroad.


International Association of Universities (IAU)

Created in 1950 by UNESCO, today IAU is a global network of over 600 member institutions from 120 countries committed to furthering higher education and promoting global leadership in sustainable development and digital transformation. IAU also develops wide partnerships with intergovernmental agencies.


Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Calareo is a major network designed to encourage, facilitate and support student mobility and research cooperation between Canadian and Latin American higher education institutions. York is one of only six Canadian member institutions.


Canada and Latin America Research & Exchange Opportunities (Calareo)

Comprising over 400 member universities in 40 countries across the Commonwealth, ACU is the world's first and oldest international university network - established in 1913. Today ACU continues to champion the power of higher education and to connect universities across borders, as well as reinforce the fundamental belief that global challenges can only be solved through international collaboration.


Academic Without Borders (AWB)

Academics Without Borders (AWB) is an international organization tasked with broadening safe access to higher education across the world. It seeks to help develop countries improve their universities so that they can train their own experts and conduct research to assist in their countries’ development.


Hemispheric University Consortium (HUC)

The Hemispheric University Consortium seeks to unite universities across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and the United States convened to discuss the concept of a hemispheric consortium to facilitate problem-based collaborations in education, research and innovation to solve address continental problems including climate change, entrepreneurship, corruption, and public health. York University is the only Canadian member institution of HUC.

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United Nations Engagement

York University's commitments towards advancing global engagement and working in partnerships had led to a longstanding initiatives with the United Nations. York is a proud member of multiple United Nations affiliated networks and NGOs dedicated towards promoting the integration of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) into the curriculum, research, and operations of the world's higher education institutions.

Key Initiatives

These are the landmark partnerships, research partnerships, and policy collaborations that York community members have with the United Nations:

CIFAL York

CIFAL York is part of the United Nation's Institute for Training and Research's (UNITAR) 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.

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


United Nations Initiative

UNAI SDG Hub Chair for SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities

York University has been selected as the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub Chair for Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) from January 2025 to December 2027. The UNAI SDG 10 Hub Chair provides the York community with an opportunity to share its innovative and groundbreaking research projects and initiatives that reduce inequalities in local and global communities. In the months ahead, York will work in partnership with UNAI and other member institutions to promote best practices for positive change in higher education and beyond.

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