Press Room

United Nations Establishes International Training Center in Atlanta

September 2004 – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) announced today the establishment of a CIFAL (Centre International de Formation des Acteurs Locaux) Centre in Atlanta, the only North American UNITAR training facility. The centre, located at midtown Atlanta's Technology Square, will serve as a hub for knowledge and resource sharing between local authorities, national governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society to expand economic and social opportunities throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

"This centre will focus on hemispheric issues and further Atlanta's reputation as a leader in global affairs," said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "As we continue our bid to become home of the Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, UNITAR's decision to locate a CIFAL Centre here demonstrates again that Atlanta is a leading destination for business, trade and investment."

The CIFAL Centre joins Atlanta's roster of international organizations such as The Carter Center, the King Center, CARE, Habitat for Humanity and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that are dedicated to furthering democracy, civil rights, economic development and human well-being.

CIFAL Atlanta will host city officials and technical staff from all areas of North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as representatives of ministries, civil society organizations and private companies that partner with local authorities in those areas. Training sessions will focus on commerce and trade diplomacy, new information and communication technologies, international affairs, and managing public-private partnerships between local authorities and the private sector. Additionally, CIFAL Atlanta will organize high-level training sessions that target ministers and secretaries in the finance and trade sectors of Latin American and Caribbean countries.

"By bringing together leaders from across the Americas, CIFAL Atlanta creates opportunities for greater economic development and the sharing of intellectual resources," said Ambassador Andrew Young. "It is my hope that the Atlanta centre will create cooperation throughout the Western Hemisphere on issues crucial to the promotion of financial and social progress."

Hemisphere, Inc., the nonprofit organization that has been spearheading the city's efforts to locate the FTAA Secretariat, worked with U.N. Assistant Secretary General Marcel Boisard, head of UNITAR, for many months to locate the centre in Atlanta.

"UNITAR chose Atlanta because of its reputation as the economic hub of the southeastern U.S. and the significant cluster of organizations located here that are dedicated to furthering democracy, human rights, poverty and disease prevention around the world," said Boisard.

UNITAR, an autonomous body within the United Nations, seeks to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations in achieving its major objectives of maintaining peace and security, and the promotion of economic and social development through training and research. Its CIFAL Network aims to support and train local authorities and elected government officials in implementing international development goals locally. Hemisphere, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire