11 - 12 November 2014, Geneva, Switzerland - UNITAR’s affiliated network of international training centres – the CIFAL Global Network- gathered in Geneva on the occasion of its eleventh anniversary. Since its inception in 2003, the Network has reached more than 30,000 beneficiaries through the delivery of over 470 training events.
The Directors from the CIFAL Centres met in Geneva to present their activity report for the year 2014, strengthen cooperation among the centres, set priorities for the next biennium and develop a common action plan.
This year’s meeting was officially inaugurated by UNITAR Executive Director Ms. Sally Fegan-Wyles. The Minister for External Affairs and International Development of the Scottish Government, the Honorable Mr. Humza Yousaf, also delivered welcome remarks.
Mr. Alex Mejia, Senior Manager of DCP and head of the CIFAL Global Network, presented the 2014 achievements of the CIFAL Global Network. By November 2014, the Network had implemented 42 training events in the year, reaching over 3,500 beneficiaries. Mr. Mejia also announced the expansion of the Network with 2 new CIFAL centres opened in El Salvador and Ecuador, and one centre to be re-opened in Durban, South Africa.
Ms. Fegan Wyles provided a briefing on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and stressed the important role that the CIFAL Global Network can play in the implementation of this agenda. UNITAR also presented on its initiatives for 2015 in the areas of disaster risk reduction, climate change in the post-2015 development framework, peacekeeping, and cross-sectoral collaboration. UNITAR speakers mentioned how the CIFALs can benefit from and contribute to these initiatives.
In the framework of this annual meeting, a new CIFAL Visual Idendity Guidelines was presented and the CIFAL Global Network mobile app was officially launched. A new portfolio of 10 e-learning courses was also announced.
Local governments around the world are direct beneficiaries of the CIFAL Global Network and also great supporters of its efforts. We invite you to learn more about this initiative by visiting the CIFAL website and by downloading the CIFAL mobile app.
To view the CIFAL training activities delivered in 2014, download the CIFAL Harmonized Training Calendar.