1. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org Sister Cities International Building long-term, sustainable bridges of cultural understanding and economic development worldwide.

2. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org »History & Background Created in 1956 by President Eisenhower Ordinary citizens participating in people-to- people exchanges and building long-term partnerships between U.S. and international communities that transcend national politics with the ultimate goal of world peace. Initial Cold War relationships in Japan, Germany and other European countries.

3. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org »Sister Cities International: Today 54 Years building partnerships Nearly 700 U.S. Cities/Towns/Communities 2,000+ Sister city partnerships across the globe 136 Countries on 6 continents 100,000+ Active community volunteers in the U.S. Tens of thousands of Citizen Diplomats abroad of all generations

4. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org » Across the Globe… Europe – 35% Asia & Oceania – 29% Americas – 16% Eurasia – 9% Africa – 6% Middle East – 3% Caribbean – 2%

5. Partnerships Around the World ·Japan: 234 ·China: 183 ·Mexico 155 ·Germany: 124 ·France: 95 ·Russia: 93 »Countries with the most sister city partnerships

6. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org

7. »What do sister city programs do? People-to-People exchanges A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org

8. »Who is involved with Sister Cities? Mayors/City Council/City Managers Municipal Government Leaders/Experts Business Leaders Educators Youth/Young Professionals NGO/Nonprofit Executives Women Leaders Citizens Passionate about International Affairs

9. »What do sister city programs do? Trade & Economic Missions Municipal/Technical/Professional Missions A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org

10. »What do sister city programs do? Humanitarian Assistance Sustainable Development (MDGs, Water, Solar) A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org

11. »What do sister city programs do? Arts & Culture Youth & Education A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org

12. »What do sister city programs do? Events & Programs (US & Abroad) A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org

13. 2010 Impact Survey: Types of Exchanges

14. 2010 Impact Survey: Training Exchanges D

15. N=209 2010 Impact Survey: Local Partners 39% of local Sister Cities are holding Economic Development Exchanges.

16. 16 2010 Impact Survey: Outbound Sister City Visitors

17. 17 2010 Impact Survey: Inbound Sister City Visitors

18. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org »Sister Cities International Programs Africa Poverty Alleviation Program – Africa 3-Year program 25 Cities working on Water, Health, Sanitation

19. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org Site visit to central market in Gbarnga, Liberia Tom Connolly meets with Superintendent of Maryland County (Liberia) Mayor of Harper City, and County Health Advisor

20. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org Projects include latrines, flush toilets, showers, bore holes and wells, clinic, and increasing water supply to a hospital Sites include markets, schools, neighborhood centers, and underserved areas Future site of flush toilets for outpatient department and visitors at Tamale (Ghana) Teaching Hospital

21. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org

23. Changing Lives – One individual, one community at a time

24. A global citizen diplomacy movement www.sister-cities.org Sister Cities International Promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding & cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.