ANNUAL REPORT 2015
CIFAL FLANDERS UN TRAINING & RESEARCH CENTRE FOR SMART SUSTAINABILITY TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword 3 United Nations & UNITAR 4 CIFAL Flanders 5 CIFAL Global Network 6 CIFAL Global Network Annual Meeting 7 Launch CIFAL Flanders 8 Team Members 2015 9 Expertise 10-11 Methodology 12 Action Learning Days 13-14 Seminars & In-Company Trainings 15-16 E-Learning Courses 17 Keynotes & Guest Lectures 18 UN Talks 19 UN Day Flanders 20 UN Day EU Brussels 21 Training Results 22 Communication 23-24 Press 25 Governance 26 CIFAL Flanders Public Utility Foundation 27 CIFAL Flanders 2016 28
2 FOREWORD
"To me and the Board of Directors, 2015 has been a true milestone for CIFAL Flanders. We started as a small foundation with humble ambitions five years ago, and have now evolved into an agenda-setting authority in the Flemish sustainability landscape. The formal recognition of our organisation by UNITAR as an official CIFAL centre has allowed us to expand our content, our network and our scope of activities.
As CEO of one of the founding partners, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors, I am proud of what the CIFAL Flanders team has accomplished, and I am also honored to be part of this successful project.
The next years look promising as many partners, companies, local governments and other entities will call on CIFAL Flanders to obtain guidance and insights on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the global agenda for the upcoming 15 years."
Ari Epstein, Chairman Antwerp-ITCCO - CIFAL Flanders
“2015 was a remarkable year for the United Nations. What could be a more precious gift for the 70th anniversary of the UN than the adoption of the resolution „Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development‟, including 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all to be achieved by 2030? And at the Paris climate conference (COP21) in December 2015, 195 countries adopted the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal.
In that historic context, CIFAL Flanders was launched in Antwerp on October 20th 2015 as a new UN Training & Research Centre for Smart Sustainability dedicated to promoting peace and human rights and implementing the UN declarations, principles and guidelines with focus on local capacity building for Agenda 2030 and the SDGs.
This first Annual Report gives an overview of our trainings and public events of last year. I want to thank our founding partners and new training partners, the City of Antwerp and the Flemish Government for their most appreciated support. And last but not least I want to praise UNITAR, the CIFAL-colleagues around the world and my great team for the stimulating work environment, the professional collaboration and above all for your trust and friendship.”
Peter Wollaert, Fellow UNITAR - Managing Director CIFAL Flanders
3 UNITED NATIONS & UNITAR
STRONG UN. BETTER WORLD. “The 70th anniversary of the United Nations is an opportunity to reflect, to look back on the UN‟s history and take stock of its enduring achievements. It is also an opportunity to spotlight where the UN – and the international community as a whole – needs to redouble its efforts to meet current and future challenges across the three pillars of its work: peace and security, development, and human rights.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message for UN70
www.un.org/un70
UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH “The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is the principal training arm of the United Nations, working in every region of the world. UNITAR's global network of training centres offer innovative training in key areas of development and foster collaboration amongst government authorities, the private sector and civil society leaders.
It is a pleasure to welcome CIFAL Flanders as 14th training centre in the Global Network. CIFAL Flanders has been recognised by its professionalism, agility and innovation.
Let me thank the CIFAL Flanders leadership and partners for all that they have done to advance our mission, and wish you all continued success in the important work ahead.”
Nikhil Seth, Executive Director UNITAR Alex Mejia, Head CIFAL Global Network www.unitar.org | learnatunitar.org
4 CIFAL FLANDERS
MISSION CIFAL Flanders is a new UN Training & Research Centre for Smart Sustainability dedicated to promoting peace and human rights and implementing the UN declarations, principles and guidelines with focus on local capacity building for Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Government Businesses NGO & Trade Unions Academia Officials Civil Society ACTIVITIES Action Learning Days Seminars and In-Company Trainings
Keynotes & Guest Lectures E-Learning Courses
UN Talks Public Events
5 CIFAL GLOBAL NETWORK
15 INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES The CIFAL Global Network is composed of 15 international training centres for authorities and leaders in society. The CIFALs are located across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean. Since its inception in 2003, the Network has reached more than 30,000 beneficiaries through over 400 learning events.
4 AREAS OF WORK
www.unitar.org/thematic-areas/capacity-agenda-2030
6 CIFAL GLOBAL NETWORK ANNUAL MEETING
28-30 OCTOBER, UN GENEVA: XII ANNUAL MEETING OF CIFAL DIRECTORS
7 LAUNCH CIFAL FLANDERS
25 AUGUST: ITCCO RECOGNIZED AS CIFAL On Tuesday 25th of August in the Antwerp City Hall, Antwerp-ITCCO announced to its partners and network the recognition of the organisation as fully-fledged International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) by UNITAR.
Under its new name, CIFAL Flanders welcomed over 70 attendees in the Leys Hall of Antwerp City Hall for a festive event to celebrate the recognition of the organisation by the United Nations.
“As a founding partner of Antwerp-ITCCO, I think this is a logical and needed evolution. In fact, I believe that Antwerp-ITCCO was destined to grow into an official CIFAL centre.‟‟
Ari Epstein, CEO Antwerp World Diamond Centre and Chairman Antwerp-ITCCO Public Utility Foundation
20 OCTOBER: OFFICIAL LAUNCH CIFAL FLANDERS On the 20th of October, CIFAL Flanders organised with United Nations Association Flanders Belgium (VVN) and the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC) a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations and the approval of the SDGs by the UN General Assembly.
On this occasion, CIFAL Flanders was officially launched to the general public. The event took place at the Voka - Chamber of Commerce Antwerp-Waasland and was attended by more than 100 distinguished guests.
8 TEAM MEMBERS 2015
Peter Wollaert Jan Beyne Bert Maes Managing Director Programme Manager Project Manager
FLANDERS TRAINEE PROGRAMME With help from the Flanders Trainee Programme of the Flemish Government, CIFAL Flanders can count on several interns every year. This Trainee Programme offers a subsidy for graduates and students who whish to do an internship in an international organisation such as CIFAL Flanders or UNITAR.
Toep Van Mierlo Kathy Goffin Anne De Keersmaecker Michiel Degraeve 02/09/’14 - 02/03/’15 19/01/’15 - 18/07/’15 05/05/’15 - 04/11/’15 03/08/’15 - 01/02/’16
RESEARCH INTERNS
Nicolai Vondracek Gaya Nulens 01/02/’15 - 01/09/’15 09/02/’15 - 12/05/’15
9 EXPERTISE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS With the Millennium Development Goals concluded at the end of 2015, world leaders have agreed on an ambitious long-term agenda to improve people’s lives and protect the planet for future generations: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Unlike the MDGs, the SDGs were not drafted by a small group of experts and member states. They are the result of years of negotiations between member states, businesses, NGOs en civil society organisations. On the UN Summit in September in New York, 193 countries agreed on the 17 goals that need to be attained before 2030.
10 EXPERTISE
BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS Since the foundation of the UN in 1945, Human Rights have been the starting point for the United Nations.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights In 1948, three years after the foundation of the United Nations, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was the first global expression of the idea that all human beings are inherently entitled to a number of important rights.
The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights were proposed by UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights John Ruggie and endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011. In the same resolution, the UN Human Rights Council established the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.
The framework proposed by John Ruggie, also known as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), are a global standard for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse impacts on human rights linked to business activity. The framework elaborates on the responsibilities of both states and businesses.
SMART & SUSTAINABLE CITIES The Urban Sustainable Development Goal is the 11th of the 17 SDGs. This agenda tries to tackle the ever-growing challenges resulting from global urbanisation, such as urban poverty, the access to infrastructure, housing, and many more. The drafters of the SDGs were convinced that an Urban SDG is necessary to integrate safe and sustainable solutions into the policies on city level. The Urban SDG is key to localise the global agenda.
“Urbanization will be the defining trend over the next several decades. Today 50% of the world‟s 7 billion people live in cities and by 2050 this will rise to 70%. Cities are home to extreme deprivation and environmental degradation, causing one billion people to live in slums. At the same time, roughly 75% of global economic activity is urban and as the urban population grows, so will the urban share of global GDP and investments.
The Campaign for an Urban SDG has been launched because of the dynamism of cities, which represents a major sustainable development opportunity. We believe that a dedicated and stand-alone urban SDG is essential to mobilize stakeholders, promote integrated city-level approaches, and accelerate progress towards sustainable development.” www.urbansdg.org
11 METHODOLOGY
ACTION LEARNING Action Learning focuses on increasing learning capacity of executives in governments, organisations, businesses, civil society, trade unions, academia, etc., while responding to a real global challenge in a multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach. Critical peer-to-peer reflection is an important part of the experience. This experience of ‘exchange’ can generate new approaches across sectors, and help build systemic innovation and problem solving skills.
ROADMAP EXERCISE SDG STRATEGY: FROM GLOBAL VISION TO LOCAL ACTION
12 ACTION LEARNING DAYS
23 JANUARY Glocalising Sustainability & CSR in the Diamond Sector Best practices, business ethics, transparency and corporate social responsibility in the diamond sector.
Keynotes: Valérie Michel, CSR Manager Rosy Blue Geert van Reisen, Head Strategy and Portfolio Management Diamond & Jewellery Patrick Coppens, General manager of sales Rio Tinto Diamonds Location: AWDC and Antwerp Diamond District
2 APRIL Sustainability & Innovation in the Port Sector Sustainability & Innovation Tour about the challenges and opportunities in the context of sustainability in the port sector.
Location: Port of Antwerp
21 APRIL Sustainable Facility Management Sustainability of the administrative offices at Den Bell.
Keynotes:
Frank Verbunt, Stadsbeheer, vastgoed exploitatie en onderhoudsmanagement Stad Antwerpen
Guido Floes, Energiedeskundige
Iris Gommers, Programmaleider duurzame stad Antwerpen
Kathleen Overmeer, Bedrijfsdirecteur Stadsbeheer
Tim Van Dyck, Teammanager techniek en energie
Tom Verbelen, Bedrijfsdirecteur Bestuurszaken
Veerle Follens, Manager Research CONIX RDBM Location: Den Bell, Antwerp 13 ACTION LEARNING DAYS
26 AUGUST Action Learning Sustainable Fashion Management Sustainable Fashion Tour in the Antwerp Fashion District: Principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility the fashion sector.
Keynotes: Griet Cattaert, CSR Manager JBC Katrien Van Hecke, Designer Veerle Spaepen, Programma Manager Plan C Vera Koppen, Fair Wair Foundation Location: Antwerp Fashion District
30 SEPTEMBER Sustainability & Innovation in the Port Sector Sustainability & Innovation Tour in the Port Sector and company visit INDAVER
Location: Port of Antwerp
14 SEMINARS & IN-COMPANY TRAININGS
3 APRIL International Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility and the challenges Flemish companies face when doing international business.
Location: Flanders Investment & Trade, Brussels
25 AUGUST Integrity & Trust: the Edelman Trust Barometer Presentation of the Edelman Trust Barometer.
Keynote: James Turner, European Chief Operating Officer
Location: City Hall, Antwerp
23 OCTOBER Argenta Roadmap exercise SDG Strategy Sustainable Development, Business Ethics and the SDGs.
Location: Argenta Bank, Antwerp
19 NOVEMBER INDAVER Roadmap exercise SDG Strategy From the MDGs to the SDGs & Marcom strategies.
Location: Indaver, Antwerp
15 SEMINARS & IN-COMPANY TRAININGS
30 NOVEMBER SDG Roadmap: Towards Smart & Sustainable Cities Linking the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris with the Urban Sustainable Development Goal 11.
Keynotes: Raf Tuts, Chief Urban Environmental Planning Branch Davor Meersman, Head European Research Strategy iLab Hans Verboven, Professor Faculty of Applied Economic Sciences at University of Antwerp (UA) Carla Uwents, Duurzaamheidscoördinator UA Cis Van Den Bogaert, Departementshoofd Onderwijs UA Robert Voorhamme, Voorzitter van de Associatie van Universiteit & Hogescholen Antwerpen. Iris Gommers, Programmaleider Duurzame Stad at City of Antwerp Guido Muelenaer, Strategy and Innovation Manager at City of Antwerp Philippe Decrock, Spokesperson Traxio Rik Menten, Business Development Director at Arcadis Ahad Eshghzey, Founder Caffungi Maarten Kooiman, Co-Founder Tapazz Adje Van Oekelen, Community Manager De Landgenoten
Location: University of Antwerp, Antwerp
10 DECEMBER Debriefing Session Belgian National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Belgian National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Speakers: Koen De Feyter, Professor International Law University of Antwerp Lieselot Verdonck, Ph.D Researcher Human Rights Centre Ghent University Helene De Bock, Human Rights Desk Federal Public Service Dieter Vander Beke, Director Belgian Federal Institute for Sustainable Development Nathalie De Nul, Legal Adviser Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs Gert Van Eeckhout, Policy Officer CSR and Social Economy Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy Jan Van Den Einde, Staff Member CEO Flanders Investment & Trade Jérôme Chaplier, Coordinator European Coalition for Corporate Justice Griet Cattaert, CSR Manager JBC Location: Flanders Investment & Trade, Brussels 16 E-LEARNING COURSES
26 FEBRUARY – 19 MARCH
Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility The overall objective of the course was to enable professionals from private companies, NGOs, International Organizations and governments who wish to be involved in Corporate Social responsibility (CSR), to define CSR and apply such concept in their institutions and day-to-day projects.
14 SEPTEMBER
Collaborative Leadership This workshop aimed at helping leaders and decision- makers, working with the United Nations, to recognize when collaboration is effective, to understand some of the most common barriers to effective collaboration and to be able to put in place practical measures to overcome them.
LEARNATUNITAR.ORG
17 KEYNOTES & GUEST LECTURES
3 March 26 June Studiedag Economie, Ghent Cultuuroverleg Oostende, Ostend
24 March 13 July Ruimtelijk Beleid 2050 Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen, Ghent Infocycle Belgian Technical Cooperation, Brussels
4 April 14 September Act4Change, Brussels Management Team Port of Antwerp, Antwerp 21 April 21 September POSECO Inspiration Day, Ghent New Ideals Social Entrepeneurship Conference, Brussels 11 May 3 October University of Antwerp, Antwerp Infocycle Belgian Technical Cooperation, Brussels
19 May 10 November Scouts & Gidsen Vlaanderen, Antwerp Grensverleggende Natuur- en Milieueducatie, Brussels
27 May 16 November Vlaamse Jeugdraad, Brussels Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen Ruimtelijk beleid 2050, Ghent
30 May 13 December Infocycle Belgian Technical Cooperation, Brussels Infocycle Belgian Technical Cooperation, Brussels
8 June 15 December MVO Forum Vlaanderen, Antwerp VUB Closing Starters Seminars ICAB, Brussels
18 UN TALKS
25 FEBRUARY My Business? Improve the World. The challenges and opportunities of the Post-2015 Agenda. How to future proof Flemish companies and organisations from a long-term sustainability perspective.
Keynote: Peter Wollaert, Managing Director CIFAL Flanders Location: Den Bell, Antwerp 16 APRIL Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals: What role for the Private sector and Industry? From the MDGs to the SDGs: Industry & Circular Economy.
Keynote: Christophe Yvetot, Director UNIDO Location: MAS Havenpaviljoen, Antwerp
8 SEPTEMBER UNITAR and the Global Goals UNITAR, CIFAL Global Network and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Keynote: Alex Mejia, Director CIFAL Global Network Location: House Happaert, Antwerp
13 OCTOBER Building Local Capacity for Agenda 2030 Role of local authorities in the implementation of the SDGs
Keynote: Ludo Van Campenhout, Vice Mayor Antwerp Peter Wollaert, Managing Director CIFAL Flanders Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York 19 UNITED NATIONS DAY FLANDERS
20 OCTOBER: UN DAY FLANDERS AND LAUNCH CIFAL FLANDERS On the 20th of October, CIFAL Flanders and other UN offices in Belgium celebrated the 70th anniversary of the United Nations and the approval of the SDGs by the UN General Assembly. On top of that, the organisations celebrated the recognition of CIFAL Flanders as an official training centre of UNITAR.
20 UNITED NATIONS DAY EU BRUSSELS
25 OCTOBER: UN DAY EU BRUSSELS: 70 YEARS FOR “WE THE PEOPLES” On Sunday 25th of October, the Belgian UN Offices hosted an event at the Grand Place in Brussels to mark the United Nations Day, the founding of the United Nations in 1945. CIFAL Flanders was also present at this occasion to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UN and to promote the SDGs.
21 TRAINING RESULTS
Indicator of achievement Performance in 2014 Performance in 2015 Number of beneficiaries trained 380 744
% of trained beneficiaries 75% 86% confirming having met learning objectives mostly or fully Number of learning related events 5 15
New partnerships forged 4 4
22 COMMUNICATION
NEW WEBSITE ‘CIFAL FLANDERS’
In 2015, our website welcomed more than 2000 visitors and got 7000 page views.
MOST POPULAR ARTICLE 2015 12 MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
Newsletter September 2015
Antwerp-ITCCO becomes CIFAL Flanders
On Tuesday 25 August, Antwerp-ITCCO announced to its partners that UNITAR has officialy recognized the training centre as fully-fledged International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL), associated with the UN. As of late October, CIFAL Flanders will be the new name of Antwerp-ITCCO. CIFAL Flanders, headquartered in 'Den Bell' complex in Antwerp, is now formally part of UNITAR’s international network of 14 CIFAL training centers.
December 2015
4,243 unique subscribers In 2015, we’ve more than doubled our subscriber base with 2675 new subscribers.
23 December 2014
1,559 unique subscribers
COMMUNICATION
SOCIAL MEDIA
Highest Followers Reach
1200 393
1834 281
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS ADDED IN 2015
Google Plus
Youtube
24 PRESS
GAZETTE VAN DETROIT
INTERVIEW RADIO 2 On October 5th, Peter Wollaert was interviewed by Dirk Ghijs of Radio 2 on the SDGs and the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York.
25 GOVERNANCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 10 JULY & 7 DECEMBER
Ari Epstein John Colpaert Gaetano Cavalieri Alex Mejia AWDC Diamond Industry Fund CIBJO UNITAR
Wouter van Gulck Hans Verboven Christine Vermylen Federation of Belgian University of Antwerp Argenta Chambers of Commerce ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 25 NOVEMBER
26 CIFAL FLANDERS PUBLIC UTILITY FOUNDATION
FOUNDING PARTNERS
NEW TRAINING PARTNERS 2014
NEW TRAINING PARTNERS 2015
27 CIFAL FLANDERS 2016
TEAM
Peter Wollaert Hilde Eeckhout Jan Beyne Managing Director Project Manager Programme Manager
Arno Slaets Tina Bollekens Project Manager Project Manager
CONTACT
T: +32 3 338 67 20
Skype: cifal-flanders
Postal Address: Grote Markt 1, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Visiting Address: Den Bell, Francis Wellesplein 1, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium
www.cifal-flanders.org
www.learnatunitar.org
www.unitar.org
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