Young Digital Diplomats from Cork Inspire Tech Innovation in San Francisco
As technology continues to advance and serve as a means of connecting people in cities, towns, schools, businesses, and more across the globe, a new generation of digital diplomats begins to unite like never before.
Newest U.S.-Iraqi Sister City Aims to Expand Cultural Understanding
Duluth, Minnesota and Rania, Iraq formalized their sister city relationship in April, making them the fifth U.S.-Iraqi partnership in the Sister Cities International network. The friendship city partnership first began in 2007, when Michele Naar-Obed from Duluth was working in Kurdish Iraq and established a connection with the Rania Youth Center.
Breaking the Ice
Despite recent tensions in Eastern Europe, San Diego has embraced their sister city relationship with Vladivostok, Russia. In April 2014, the sister city program sent four 7-8th grade students on a school exchange.
Remembering Typhoon Haiyan: Palo Alto, California-Palo Leyte, Philippines
Six months ago today, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms in recorded history, struck the Philippines. The “super typhoon” caused catastrophic damage, leaving cities and towns destroyed, over 6,300 people dead, and thousands of others injured and displaced throughout the island.
Gainesville-Qalqilya Partnership Opens Door to Educational Opportunities for Deaf Students
The Gainesville, Florida and Qalqilya, Palestinian Territories sister city partnership recently made a unique youth exchange possible. In early April, two Deaf students, five hearing students, the headmaster of the Deaf School, and a Deaf teacher from Qalqilya visited Oak Hall School in Gainesville, Florida.
Sister Cities Bring Cherry Blossoms and Couple Together
For the residents of Boulder, Colorado, springtime brings an especially beautiful sight to the parks around the city, as the sakura (cherry blossom) trees from their sister city of Yamagata, Japan begin to bloom.
Houston Aids Drought-Affected Sister City
The Thar Sindh region of Pakistan, home to Houston’s sister city Karachi, recently suffered a severe drought that left over 200,000 families displaced and malnourished. In response, the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA) did its part by lending a helping hand to its sister city.
Sister Cities of Nashville: Expanding Global Cultural Exchange from High School to College
In 2013, 40 Student Ambassadors from the Nashville area were chosen to participate in a global cultural immersion experience through the Sister Cities of Nashville (SCN) High School Student Ambassador Program.
2014 Board of Directors Elections: Accepting Applications for Open Positions
Sister Cities International’s Board of Directors is elected by its voting members—local sister city organizations. The election includes both electronic voting from June 12-August 1, 2014 as well as in-person voting at the Annual Business Meeting on August 1, held during Sister Cities International’s Annual Conference.
Statement by Sister Cities International on Recent Tensions in Eastern Europe
The Sister Cities International network includes 76 U.S.-Russian and 23 U.S.-Ukrainian sister city partnerships, with many having already celebrated 25 years of mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperative activities. These partnerships have helped build understanding and peace by creating grassroots connections between communities.