UNITAR
22 March 2023, New York, USA - UNITAR, York University, the Regional Municipality of York (York Region) and York Regional Police renewed its partnership agreement to foster sustainable development in Canada. This agreement aims to deliver joint training and professional development activities, which target – mainly – government officials, leaders, civil society and other interested parties in the areas of safety mobility including road safety, mental health, gender equality, entrepreneurship and economic growth, and climate change, amongst others.
An anticipated outcome of this partnership is the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets 3.6 and 11.2 on “road safety”. Road safety continues to be the most significant concern expressed by York Regional Police citizens[1]. More people die each year on roadways. Therefore, reducing fatalities and injuries caused by traffic crashes is one key area of collaboration stipulated in the partnership agreement to contribute to this local need through capacity building and learning.
This partnership places special emphasis on contributing to SDG 5 “gender equality”. As a cross-cutting issue, gender equality has different implications across regions and populations. UN statistics[2] show that less than 50% of working-age women are in the labour market. Unpaid domestic and care work falls disproportionately on women. This unbalance has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected women’s jobs and livelihoods. Through the collaborative creation of learning tools and training, the partners aim to contribute to social justice and inclusivity by leveraging gender equality.
To commemorate this important partnership, a signing ceremony hosted by Mr Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of UNITAR took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York with the participation of high-profile speakers and invitees, including H.E. Ambassador Robert Rae, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York; Mr Wayne Emmerson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Regional Municipality of York, Canada; Prof. Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University, Canada; Chief Jim MacSween, York Regional Police, Canada.
Our renewed partnership with the Regional Municipality of York, the York Regional Police and York University further solidifies their commitment to advance the Sustainable Development Goals through capacity building, knowledge sharing and multi-stakeholder partnerships. It also reflects the critical role local authorities and academic institutions have in promoting sustainable and inclusive development, pointed out Mr Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of UNITAR.
On behalf of York Regional Council and The Regional Municipality of York, I extend thanks and appreciation to UNITAR, York Regional Police and York University for their renewed partnership and commitment to building welcoming and inclusive communities where all residents can develop to their full potential, participate freely in society and live with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. Through this unique collaboration, we continue to bring together a wide variety of community and public organizations to advance Sustainable Development Goals that aim to end poverty, promote health and well-being, support economic and social inclusion and build peaceful and inclusive communities, highlighted Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and CEO The Regional Municipality of York.
We are pleased to renew this transformative partnership with UNITAR, the Regional Municipality of York, and the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board. I look forward to continuing this important collaboration and building on the successes of CIFAL York – the first CIFAL Centre in Canada, says Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University. “By continuing to work together, we will maximize our impact on advancing the SDGs to drive the kind of positive change needed to make a difference in the world today.
This partnership with UNITAR and our partners from the Region of York and York University is vitally important as it reinforces for our entire organization, and our community, that we are on the right track when it comes to our efforts to ensure diversity and inclusion both internally and externally, highlighted Chief Jim MacSween, York Regional Police.
[1] Refer to York Regional Police Bureau: Road Safety Bureau - York Regional Police (yrp.ca)
[2] Refer to UNDESA “The World’s Women Trend Report 2020”: The World’s Women 2020: Trends and Statistics | United Nations
UNITAR
UNITAR
About UNITAR
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research is an autonomous body within the United Nations that was established in 1965 pursuant to a UN General Assembly resolution, with the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the UN through appropriate training and research. UNITAR’s mission is to develop the individual, institutional and organizational capacities of countries and other United Nations stakeholders through high-quality learning solutions and related knowledge products and services to enhance decision-making and to support country-level action for overcoming global challenges.
About York University
York is a top international teaching and research university and a driving force for positive change. Located in Toronto, Canada, York is empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective. It ranks in the top five Universities in the 2023 Maclean’s University Rankins, and it is comprised of 10, 000+ international students from over 172 countries.
About the Regional Municipality of York
The Regional Municipality of York (York Region) consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,000 businesses with over 600,000 employees.
More information about the Region’s services is available at: york.ca/regionalservices.
About the York Regional Police
York Regional Police is proud to serve the 1.3 million residents of the Regional Municipality of York. Our service is made up of over 1,600 sworn officers and 600 civilian leaders and we are an internationally recognized policing leader. We have been named a 2023 Greater Toronto Top Employer for eight years running and a Top Employer for Young People for the past five years. Our members are honoured to serve one of the most diverse and fastest-growing communities in Canada, patrolling areas ranging from serene rural landscapes to urban cityscapes, and ensuring the safety and security of residents who have come to our Region from every corner of the globe from more than 200 ethnic origins.