Sister Cities International

The 2025 Young Artists and Authors Showcase theme is "Friendship: The Heartbeat of Global Peace". This theme encourages youth to think about the power of friendship to foster understanding, collaboration, and peace across borders. Open to all artists, writers, photographers, and musicians aged 12-18. The deadline to apply is April 1st, 2025. For more information, and to apply, visit the link below! https://lnkd.in/e8adZsik

The Ruth Hashimoto Award has been awarded to Kay Sargent, an Honorary Board member of Sister Cities International who symbolizes the quality of service, inspired by Ruth, and desired by Sister Cities International as a whole. Kay Sargent has been recognized for her contributions, involvement and work to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation. Kay Sargent is currently Executive Director of the Lexington Sister Cities Commission for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Responsible for maintaining all local SCI programs and exchanges, she also assists the government in proper reception of foreign visitors and its agencies in tourism as well as travel promotions on both the international and national levels. Ms. Sargent is also the Kentucky State Representative for Sister Cities International and is active in many community affairs, committees and boards. Congratulations to Kay Sargent for being the 2024 recipient of the Ruth Hashimoto Volunteer Service Award!

Two weeks ago, Sister Cities International hosted our 2024 Fall Leadership Meeting and Fundraiser in Long Beach, California spanning from October 15th-Oct 17th. Slide for a peak into our week in Long Beach! - October 15th: Optional tours around Long Beach as well as the "Meet Me at the Mary" Reception on the Queen Mary. - October 16th: Mayor of Long Beach breakfast reception at Long Beach City Hall, strategic planning activity for SCI Board members, the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), and the 2024 Sister Cities International Fall Fundraising Gala. - October 17th: SCI Board meeting, lunch on The Queen Mary, and a Long Beach harbor cruise.

Join the Official Sister Cities International Facebook Group! This group is a great way to connect with a global community of people who share a passion for international collaboration, cultural exchange, and community engagement. In the group, you can stay updated on Sister Cities International events, programs, and initiatives, as well as participate in discussions, share ideas, and network with members from around the world. It’s also a valuable resource for learning about new opportunities, exchanging best practices, and getting inspired by the success stories of other sister cities partnerships. https://lnkd.in/eDrJS_JU

Welcome to Long Beach, Sister Cities International! We’re proud to host the annual convening of Sister Cities International here in one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Thanks to the national leadership of SCI for joining us this week to celebrate our commitment to bringing cultural exchange, education, and economic collaboration between the Sister Cities of our nation and world

Applications due TONIGHT at 11:59 PM EST! Sister Cities International is helping to recruit 88 Youth Ambassadors for an unforgettable experience! Apply now to work at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka! Youth Ambassadors will be split into three cohorts: • Full-Term: March 26th, 2025 - October 15th, 2025 • Spring : March 26th, 2025 - July 23rd, 2025 • Fall: July 12th, 2025 - October 15th, 2025 Visit https://lnkd.in/ecWvV5EM to learn more and apply!

With gladness and pride today on Indigenous Peoples Day, I am thrilled to share that October 14 has been declared as Sister Cities International Day for the City of Grand Rapids by the honorable Mayor Rosalynn Bliss! Truly grateful for the support and partnership of our community to advance international diplomacy and global peacekeeping, and honored to be part of the incredible leadership making this happen! Sister Cities International City of Grand Rapids #SCIDay2024 Special Thanks to our Board of Directors: Rev. Katherine Lee Baker Kelli Jo Peltier Adrianne Braun Emily Smith Marco Ruiz-Wrobbel Tristan Reuben Amanda Cisneros Omar Cuevas Erika Plunkett Joseph VanArendonk Benjamin Thompson Max Golczynski Anna Kovalenko Justin Menkveld Denise Taylor Leonardo Tombelli Tatum Hawkins, MA Michael Crankson Laura B Moody Special Thanks to our City of Grand Rapids Officials and Staff: Mayor Rosalynn Bliss City Manager Mark Washington Louis Canfield Laura Olson Chardonnay Henderson

In honor of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Birthday, October 14th has been declared as Sister Cities International Day! Sister Cities International Day is a call to action for citizens of the world to come together to celebrate the importance of their communities’ commitment to supporting a more peaceful and prosperous future through people-to-people exchanges and city-to-city partnerships. Share how you’re celebrating Sister Cities International Day with us across social media. Use #SCIDay24 to share with us how your city is celebrating! #connectgloballythrivelocally #SisterCitiesInternational

Today, on October 14th, 2024, we celebrate Indigenous People's Day by honoring the resilience of Indigenous people and their contributions to society. Sister Cities International stands in solidarity with indigenous people across the United States. We reflect on the important role that Indigenous peoples play in our country, both historically and now.

We are proud to present the 2025 Young Artists and Authors Showcase and this years theme of "Friendship: The Heartbeat of Global Peace". This theme highlights the power of friendship to foster understanding, collaboration, and peace across borders. Open to artists, writers, photographers, filmmakers, and musicians aged 12-18, Sister Cities International gives youth from all around the globe an opportunity to contribute to international dialogue creatively and the importance of building relationships across borders. For more information, and to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/e8adZsik