CIFAL York hosts webinar on social development and homelessness

A youth sits bereft against a stone wall

York University’s CIFAL Centre will host the first session in a webinar series presented in partnership with CIFAL Durban and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on the topic of social development and homelessness on a global level.

Running Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. (CET), the webinar, titled “Social Development and Homelessness on a Global Level SDG 11: Human Settlements, Resilient, Safe and Inclusive Cities,” will explore homelessness as a global phenomenon that is highly prevalent in many cities across the world.

A poster advertising the CIFAL York webinar event on social development and homelessness

It will look at the programs directed at homelessness in the city of Durban (eThekwini Municipality), and creates opportunities for sharing of information and experiences around homelessness.

The webinar aims to raise awareness and address the global challenge of homelessness within the lens of the Sustainable Development Agenda (Agenda 2030), and seeks to encourage stakeholders around the globe to take formal steps to take action.

Participants of the webinar will:

  • share experiences and ideas on homelessness during COVID-19;
  • understand the definition of homelessness;
  • formalize a policy position, framework, uniform norms, standards and procedures;
  • deliberate on uniform support, funding and budget mechanisms;
  • determine the kind of social infrastructure needed to support homeless people;
  • align the support with human rights; and
  • establish roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders.

To register for the event, or for more details, go here.

About CIFAL York

As a leader in the effort to build a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable world, York University and UNITAR announced the establishment of Canada’s first Centre International de Formation des Acteurs Locaux (CIFAL) in June 2021.

CIFAL centres provide innovative training throughout the world and serve as hubs for the exchange of knowledge among government officials, the private sector, academia and civil society.

CIFAL York will be uniquely positioned to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals around emergency and disaster management, diversity and inclusion, economic development, health and entrepreneurship. The centre will be a catalyst for positive change and extend York’s global reach that already includes more than 300 university, industry and NGO partners in more than 70 countries.

CIFAL York is one of 22 training centres for government authorities around the world and will facilitate face-to-face or online training activities such as seminars, courses, national and international events. It will also seek to empower local, regional, and international authorities to promote intersectoral partnership and co-operation and improve the well-being of their citizens. Since its inception in 2003, the CIFAL network has reached more than 30,000 beneficiaries through over 400 learning events.