CIFAL
Encyclopedia
The CIFAL Network, which is composed of several associated CIFAL Centres, forms a key part of the work of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR
)'s Local Development Programme (LDP). This programme provides trainings aimed at implementing international conventions and achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals
.
The acronym CIFAL stands for "International Training Centre for Local Authorities/Actors" (). Each CIFAL Centre is a hub for capacity building and knowledge sharing between local and regional authorities, national governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society.
The main objective of these training activities is to enhance local public services for sustainable urbanisation, while developing multi-stakeholders partnerships for locally driven development. CIFAL Core Objectives, taking into account cultural and social disparities, are specifically:
-To formulate and implement appropriate training and capacity building programmes in order to address local and global challenges;
-To build demand driven and multi-stakeholder capacity building programmes;
-To identify and engage new partners on a short and long term basis that will enhance the overall mission of the CIFAL Network;
-To pave the way for local authorities to access public and private resources to implement efficient basic services for participants.
The first CIFAL Centre was inaugurated in 2000. Two years later, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg
the DCP launched a new partnership initiative called: "Reinforcement of Local Capacities and Training for Sustainable Urbanization: a Public-Private Partnership" which set out the framework for future centres. Among the partners that jointly developed and presented this initiative were UN-HABITAT, the World Association of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination, the Global Ecovillage Network
, and Veolia Environment.
In 2003, three further CIFAL Centres were launched. There are currently (2006) ten such centres worldwide in Atlanta (USA), Bilbao
(Spain), Curitiba
(Brazil), Findhorn
(Scotland), Durban
(South Africa), Kuala Lumpur
(Malaysia), Ouagadougou
(Burkina Faso), Płock (Poland), Jeju
(Korea), and Shanghai
(China).
Complementing the training services is the CIFALWEB, an online tool and community that was created for knowledge sharing and project follow-up. This is an electronic platform which aims to support the partners in decision-making and the exchange of best practices.
United Nations Institute for Training and Research
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research was established in 1965 following a "for the training of personnel, particularly from developing Member States, for administrative and operational assignments with the United Nations and the specialized agencies, both at Headquarters and in...
)'s Local Development Programme (LDP). This programme provides trainings aimed at implementing international conventions and achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
.
The acronym CIFAL stands for "International Training Centre for Local Authorities/Actors" (). Each CIFAL Centre is a hub for capacity building and knowledge sharing between local and regional authorities, national governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society.
The main objective of these training activities is to enhance local public services for sustainable urbanisation, while developing multi-stakeholders partnerships for locally driven development. CIFAL Core Objectives, taking into account cultural and social disparities, are specifically:
-To formulate and implement appropriate training and capacity building programmes in order to address local and global challenges;
-To build demand driven and multi-stakeholder capacity building programmes;
-To identify and engage new partners on a short and long term basis that will enhance the overall mission of the CIFAL Network;
-To pave the way for local authorities to access public and private resources to implement efficient basic services for participants.
The first CIFAL Centre was inaugurated in 2000. Two years later, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
the DCP launched a new partnership initiative called: "Reinforcement of Local Capacities and Training for Sustainable Urbanization: a Public-Private Partnership" which set out the framework for future centres. Among the partners that jointly developed and presented this initiative were UN-HABITAT, the World Association of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination, the Global Ecovillage Network
Global Ecovillage Network
The Global Ecovillage Network is a global association of people and communities dedicated to living "sustainable plus" lives by restoring the land and adding more to the environment than is taken...
, and Veolia Environment.
In 2003, three further CIFAL Centres were launched. There are currently (2006) ten such centres worldwide in Atlanta (USA), Bilbao
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
(Spain), Curitiba
Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. It is the largest city with the biggest economy of both Paraná and southern Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$61 billion according to...
(Brazil), Findhorn
Findhorn Foundation
The Findhorn Foundation is a Scottish charitable trust registered in 1972, formed by the spiritual community at the Findhorn Ecovillage, one of the largest intentional communities in Britain....
(Scotland), Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
(South Africa), Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
(Malaysia), Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic center of the nation. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of 1,475,223 . The city's name is often shortened to Ouaga. The inhabitants are called ouagalais...
(Burkina Faso), Płock (Poland), Jeju
Jeju City
Jeju is the capital of Jeju province in South Korea and the largest city on the island of Jeju. Its geographical location is . The city is served by Jeju International Airport ....
(Korea), and Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
(China).
Complementing the training services is the CIFALWEB, an online tool and community that was created for knowledge sharing and project follow-up. This is an electronic platform which aims to support the partners in decision-making and the exchange of best practices.