11 November 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan – CIFAL Istanbul participated in the COP29 UN Climate Change Conference in collaboration with UNITAR, Bahçeşehir University, CIFAL Istanbul and CIFAL City of London. The event featured a key session on “The Role of Higher Education in Addressing Climate Change: Leadership, Innovation, and Impact,” bringing together academic leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to discuss the role of universities in tackling climate change.
The session explored best practices for integrating climate change education into academic programs and training the next generation of leaders in sustainability and environmental stewardship. The discussions emphasized how higher education institutions (HEIs) can contribute to climate action through research, innovation, and policy engagement.
Among the distinguished attendees were Prof. Dr. Esra Hatipoğlu, Rector of Bahçeşehir University, and Cisil Sohodol, Director of CIFAL Istanbul, who highlighted the crucial role of education in addressing global environmental challenges. The session was moderated by Dr. Ebru Canan Sokullu, former Director of CIFAL Istanbul and current Associate Director at CIFAL Global Network, UNITAR.
During the panel discussions, experts underscored the importance of universities serving as key drivers of climate solutions, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and equipping students with the necessary skills to contribute to a sustainable future. The session also reinforced the importance of international academic partnerships in advancing climate resilience strategies.
As climate change continues to present unprecedented challenges, CIFAL Istanbul remains committed to empowering youth, fostering innovative approaches, and strengthening global networks to create a more sustainable world.
12 February 2025, Manisa, Türkiye – CIFAL Istanbul was at the launch of SMEs’ Sustainability Transformations In Partnership with the Zafer Development Agency and TÜBİTAK which lasted for 90 Haours in total starting from 12th of February to 29th of February which took place in Manisa, Türkiye.
On February 12, CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR, Bahçeşehir University, TÜBİTAK MAM, Zafer Development Agency, and Celal Bayar University officially launched the Training and Consultancy Program for the Sustainability Transformation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This innovative program aims to guide SMEs through the journey of adopting sustainable practices to combat climate change and ensure a resilient future.
The event began with an inspiring opening address by Prof. Çisil Sohodol, Director of CIFAL Istanbul, who highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change and the critical role sustainability plays in shaping the economy. She emphasized that sustainability is a shared responsibility that requires immediate action.
Following the opening, Asst. Prof. Nilüfer Geysi, CIFAL Istanbul Coordinator, led the first training session. This interactive six-hour session engaged participants in deep discussions about the importance of sustainability, green transformation, and the influence of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria on modern business practices. The session set the tone for the ongoing journey towards creating a greener, more sustainable future for SMEs.
This program represents a powerful step forward in equipping businesses with the knowledge and tools necessary to adapt to sustainability challenges. CIFAL Istanbul and its partners are committed to helping SMEs thrive in a rapidly changing world, fostering long-term positive impact on the environment and the economy.
Prof. Çisil Sohodol, CIFAL Istanbul Director, has shared her remarks on the panel titled “Trust and Impact: Good communication Guide for Sustainable Brands” on 17 September, 2024 at The Sustainable Brands Türkiye 2024.
The Sustainable Brands Türkiye 2024 conference is part of the global Sustainable Brands network, aiming to advance sustainable business models and practices. The conference emerged as one of the most significant events in the sustainability field in Türkiye. The conference addressed many key topics shaping the future of business, offering participants an inspiring experience.
The event featured more than 20 international speakers, including notable figures like Thomas Kolster and Karen Silverman, who discussed topics related to sustainable growth, innovation, and corporate transformation. At the event, discussions focused on how brands could reduce their environmental impact, shift consumer behaviors toward sustainable lifestyles, and utilize innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence in the process. Additionally, topics like waste management, supply chain optimization, and corporate governance were addressed, aiming to broaden the adoption of sustainability practices across the business landscape.
The purpose of this event is to enable participants to gain insights from expert speakers and innovative panels; to assist them in learning new sustainability strategies and developing creative solutions that can be integrated into their business models. This approach aims to help brands contribute to long-term value creation and to have a positive impact on society and the environment.
The conference also offered interactive workshops and panel discussions aimed at helping brands craft sustainable strategies.
Remarks by Prof. Çisil Sohodol, CIFAL Istanbul Director
Prof. Sohodol, Director of CIFAL Istanbul, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders, also explained that to truly understand sustainable communication, it is essential to grasp the intersection between sustainability and communication itself. She highlighted that the issues embedded in sustainability and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent chronic global challenges urgently requiring solutions to create a better world. The first step in addressing these issues in improving our behaviour patterns. She emphasized that without cultivating an ecosystem of behavioral change, it would be impossible to achieve success in sustainability or any of the SDGs.
STEP Ambassadors Development Journey has begun with the cooperation of Yapı Kredi Banking Academy, Bahçeşehir University & CIFAL Istanbul! We aim to create STEP Ambassadors who value the world and nature and embrace the importance of sustainable life.
Within the scope of the STEP Ambassadors Development Journey Program, it is planned to provide sustainability literacy trainings for Yapı Kredi Bank employees in cooperation with Yapı Kredi Bank, CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR and Bahçeşehir University, in order to increase the efforts to reflect the sustainability vision of the institution and to increase the knowledge of the employees on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the scope of this program, a curriculum of 16 sessions, three sessions a week, will be studied with the trainers to be determined by CIFAL Istanbul via the Webex platform of Yapı Kredi.
