1. A global citizen diplomacy network www.sister-cities.org Voices for Peace Powering Citizen Diplomacy

2. 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?

3. 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

4. Reaching Out… » U.S. Partnerships Across the Globe Europe – 34% Asia & Oceania – 29% Americas – 17% Eurasia – 7% Africa – 6% Middle East – 3% Caribbean – 3%

6. Exchange & Program Areas »Youth & Education »Economic & Sustainable Development »Humanitarian Assistance »Arts & Culture

7. 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

8. 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

9. »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 Best of the Best: 2007

10. »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

11. »Youth & Education Youth Conference Young Artists Showcase Sister Schools J-1/High School Home Stay

12. Signature SCI Programs »Muslim World Partnership Initiative Annual Conference Session – ‘Regions of Conflict’ Models Report YES Leadership Summit US-Muslim Sister Cities Summit

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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

21. The Power of Changing Lives Promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding & cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.