THE GLOBAL CIFAL NETWORK

The Decentralized Cooperation Programme (DCP) provides activities in the thematic areas of economic development and social inclusion, sustainable peace, and research and technology applications.

The main goal of the DCP is to develop and strengthen the capacity of government authorities and civil society leaders to promote sustainable development and decentralisation by offering a variety of training and networking opportunities.

The DCP is based on substantial experience in the refinement of capacity development activities to meet the learning needs and priorities of various beneficiaries, through different types of training:

  • Formación presencial.
  • Cursos de e-Learning.
  • Programas de educación avanzada.
  • Actividades de Aprendizaje a medida.

The DCP provides most of its training through its Global CIFAL Network, created in 2003, with the central goal of developing and strengthening human capacities to better address development challenges. The CIFAL centres use a facilitative approach that aims at:

  • Facilitar la transferencia de conocimientos, experiencias y mejores prácticas entre representantes del sector público, representantes del sector privado y líderes de la sociedad civil.
  • Mejorar las capacidades para realizar eficazmente las tareas pertinentes.
  • Foster cooperation and the development of multisectoral associations.
  • Provide opportunities that lead to collaboration between cities.
  • Contribute to the development of local and national strategies.

Each International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) provides training programmes in key areas related to sustainable development and acts as a centre for knowledge between government officials, non-government and international organisations, private sector, civil society, academic institutions and the UN system.

Each CIFAL specialises in thematic areas that have been defined according to the needs and priorities of the regions in which they are located. Their training programmes provide access to knowledge and good practices while promoting multi-sectoral collaboration for sustainable development.

The thematic areas covered are as follows:

  • Sostenibilidad
  • Políticas públicas y gobernanza
  • Gestión
  • Paz y seguridad
  • Desarrollo humano y social
  • Medio ambiente y cambio climático
  • Desarrollo económico e infraestructuras
  • Tecnología e innovación

La Red cuenta con 31 centros de capacitación ubicados en África, Asia, Australia, Europa, América y el Caribe, y a través de la Oficina de Proyectos Port Harcourt en Nigeria y el Programa de Movilidad de Personas en Nueva York.

En Europa hay cinco centros CIFAL, en Cascais (Portgual), en Flandes (Bélgica), Plock (Polonia), Málaga y Madrid (España), además de la Sede Central de UNITAR, que se encuentra en Ginebra (Suiza).

The Director of the Decentralized Cooperation Programme (DCP) is Alex Mejía, who reports directly to UNITAR’s Executive Director, Nikhil Seth.