
CIFAL Newcastle
Strengthening capacities for sustainable development
Your world is ready for a new tomorrow
CIFAL Newcastle is a Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders, a United Nations/UNITAR International Training and Outreach centre supporting, promoting and enabling progress towards the UN’s 17 Sustainability Goals.
Hosted by the University of Newcastle on Australia’s east coast, we are a diverse team committed to developing and sharing tools, knowledge and skills that will help build a better tomorrow for all.
Our focus areas
We have developed four new focus areas of work which we are committed to in 2024.

Global health and well-being
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Equity, Indigenous knowledge and transformative education
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Climate adaptation and clean futures
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Sustainable cities and communities
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Sustainable Development Goals reports
Our commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goals in action.
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The 17 Goals
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries.
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UNITAR
Established in 1963, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is an autonomous body. It focuses on enhancing UN effectiveness and national impact through training and education.
UNITAR assists developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and vulnerable groups.
Transformative equity
The UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education, led by our Professor Penny Jane Burke, aims to effect transformative equity by mobilising higher education as a vehicle for social justice, addressing and challenging the conditions that undermine progress toward reducing inequalities, gender equality and quality education for all.
Research

Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific Project Training Program
In collaboration with SPREP, we aim to improve sanitation, environmental, social, and economic conditions in Pacific Island countries and territories through proper waste management.
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Whole School Initiatives to Increase School Action on UN SDGs
Our proposed research will robustly evaluate the effectiveness of a school-wide intervention in increasing school-related actions on sustainable development.
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A Global Survey to Explore SDG Prioritisation Among Young People
We are developing a survey to explore university students’ prioritisation and perceptions of the SDGs.
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Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings assess universities against the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), which act as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
2024 Ranked 39th out of 1963 institutions
2024 Ranked 39th out of 1963 institutions
2022 Ranked 30th out of 1410 institutions
2021 Ranked 12th out of 1117 institutions
About us
Our mission and vision
Our core mission is to build the capacity of individuals, organisations, institutions and communities through education and training to enact the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
CIFAL global network
The CIFAL global network provides innovative training throughout the world and serves as a hub for the exchange of knowledge amongst government officials, the private sector and civil society.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.