In 2022, the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) and the University of Victoria (UVic) established the first accredited International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (known by the French acronym CIFAL) on North America’s west coast.
CIFAL Victoria, based at UVic, joins a global network of 33 training centres around the world. The purpose of these centres is to develop local capacity to take on global challenges. Through partnership building and knowledge sharing, CIFAL centres empower communities and support officials as they advance sustainable development.
Our mission
CIFAL Victoria’s mission is to drive sustainability transformations at UVic and beyond. We are dedicated to advancing progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In support of our mission, we deliver training and research that strengthens local capacities for change. Through the CIFAL Global Network, we connect the school and our region with a global community dedicated to sustainable development.
Our work is focused on four key themes:
Oceans, climate & sustainability
Human impacts on the environment have accelerated at a devastating pace. We address the urgent challenges facing oceans, lands, human well-being and the economy through collaborative and multi-disciplinary partnerships.
Decolonization & Indigenous knowledges
Indigenous knowledges offer crucial insights and effective strategies for a regenerative future. We are learning, listening and nurturing a community which centres these ways of knowing.
Global health
& well-being
Multiple and complex factors contribute to health and wellness across our lifespans. We focus on improving health and wellness for all living beings. Together, we can create a future where everyone thrives.
Innovation & entrepreneurship
We explore how the ways we interact with devices, manage our information and connect with other humans affect communities ability to thrive in our technological modern world.
UVic and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
CIFAL Victoria is part of UVic’s commitment the UN’s 17 SDGs, adopted by UN member states in 2015. These goals are a shared call-to-action to end poverty, protect the planet and increase peace and prosperity worldwide.
Universities will play a key role in achieving global, national and local progress towards the UN SDGs by 2030. They can empower individuals with vital knowledge and skills. They also drive innovative research, build connections with communities, and nurture critical thinking. These institutions are essential for building a resilient and inclusive future. CIFAL Victoria can help empower the UVic community and university leadership to deliver on the SDGs.
Explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including their targets and indicators:
Visit our CIFAL SDG’s Dashboard↗ to see an example of how the SDGs have shaped training initiatives on the UVic campus.
Annual reports
Discover how CIFAL Victoria has connected UVic and the surrounding region with the global community, supporting knowledge-sharing and partnership development during its first three years of operation.
