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The Sister Cities International network promotes citizen diplomacy by fostering long-term relationships between U.S. cities and communities worldwide. With over 2,300 sister city partnerships across 135 countries, this initiative has engaged more than 100,000 volunteers, impacting over 100 million lives. By facilitating exchanges in youth education, economic development, and humanitarian efforts, sister cities contribute to building peace through mutual respect and understanding. Join us in bridging communities and empowering global citizens one connection at a time.
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Voices for Peace Powering Citizen Diplomacy A global citizen diplomacy network www.sister-cities.org
The idea… • What if ordinary U.S. citizens traveled abroad and met ordinary citizens in other countries? • What if we created long-term connections at the local level – community to community? What would the impact be?
How far we’ve come in 52 years • Sister Cities International’s Network: Today • 700+ U.S. Cities/Towns/Communities • 2,300+ Sister city partnerships across the globe • 135 Countries on 6 continents • 100,000+ active community volunteers • Affecting the lives of more than 100 Million U.S. Citizens
Reaching Out… • U.S. Partnerships Across the Globe • Europe – 34% • Asia & Oceania – 29% • Americas – 17% • Eurasia – 7% • Africa – 6% • Middle East – 3% • Caribbean – 3%
Exchange & Program Areas • Youth & Education • Economic & Sustainable Development • Humanitarian Assistance • Arts & Culture
Best of the Best: 2007 • Arts & Culture - Omaha, Nebraska • Sister Cities: Shizuoka, Japan; Braunschweig, Germany; Siauliai, Lithuania; Naas, Ireland; Xalapa, Mexico • Middle School, high school, university levels • 5 week WorldFest - A Sister City Celebration at Omaha Children’s Museum • Classroom discussions • University Concert Choir tour • Summer exchange programs
Best of the Best: 2007 • Humanitarian Assistance - Denver, Colorado • Sister City: Chennai, India • Build health facilities for abandoned infants, orphan and destitute children, disabled persons without family support • Provided equipment: furniture, lab investigation equipment, sterilizers, surgical equipment, blood pressure apparatus and other needed accessories • Build 70 new homes for the victims of the tsunami
Best of the Best: 2007 • Overall: Fort Worth, Texas • Sister Cities Live! - a day of cultural entertainment on an outdoor stage • Lone Star International Film Festival- Featured a short, award-winning film produced by a college student from the University of Swaziland. • Fort Worth’s Young Professionals Group for business professionals under 40 • Junior International Leadership Academy for eighth grade students
Signature SCI Programs • Annual Conference & Youth Conference • 2009: Belfast • 2010: Albuquerque • Grant-Funded Programs • Open World (Russia/Eurasia) • Safe Drinking Water Pilot Initiative (Africa) • USAID Program (South Africa / Global)
Signature SCI Programs • Youth & Education • Youth Conference • Young Artists Showcase • Sister Schools • J-1/High School Home Stay
Signature SCI Programs • Muslim World Partnership Initiative • Annual Conference Session – ‘Regions of Conflict’ • Models Report • YES Leadership Summit • US-Muslim Sister Cities Summit
Signature SCI Programs • Sustainable Development • Annual Conference “Sustainable Peace through Livable Communities” • Models Report • Global Mayors Forum (September 16-18, 2009) in Shenzhen/Hong Kong China • Partners: • SCI • ICSC (Canaada) • ICLEI-Oceania (Australia) • CITYNET (Japan) • IMCC (China)
Signature SCI Services • Services • Partnership & Peace Travel Program • South Africa (Nov 2008) • China with Global Mayors Forum (Sept 2009) • Visa Toolkit, Staff Support and Assistance • Travel Insurance, D&O Insurance
Read, Meet & Discuss • Your Source of Information • Publications & Toolkits • Website (Relaunch-Fall 2008) • Online Forums & Discussion Groups • Tell Your Sister Cities Story Database • New Membership Database • Publicity for the sister cities movement
The Power of Changing Lives Promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding & cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.