July 13, 2009
Phoenix Sister Cities Captures Innovation Award in Youth and Education
Sister Cities International will announce at the July 31 Sister Cities International 2009 Awards Program in Belfast, Northern Ireland, that the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission has been selected to receive the Innovation: Youth and Education Award.
The award for a population greater than 500,000 was awarded for the commission’s work and contribution over the past year.
In 2008, the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission took part in internship programs; Youth Ambassador Exchange Program; El Dia de los Niños Festival; WorldFEST; International Young Artist Competition; Sports Exchange; Teach Abroad—Himej, Japan, Pen Pal: Write to Unite, Camp Courage; and History Teacher Exchange—Ennis, Ireland.
Sister Cities International, as the national nonprofit membership organization serving members in the United States, acts as a clearinghouse and facilitator in assisting communities with the development and maintenance of their sister city partnerships. The city of Phoenix joined the Sister City movement in 1972 with the creation of the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission (PSCC).
As a nonprofit organization seeking to develop understanding and better relationships with designated cities around the world, PSCC filed for Articles of Incorporation in 1975 and signed their first sister city linkage with Hermosillo, Mexico in 1976. Since then, Phoenix has linked with Himeji, Japan (1976); Taipei, Taiwan (1979); Chengdu, China (1987); Ennis, Ireland (1988); Grenoble, France (1990); Calgary, Canada (1997); Catania, Italy (2001); Ramat-Gan, Israel (2005); and established a Capital Cities agreement with Prague, Czech Republic in 1991.
For more information about the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission, visit phoenixsistercities.org or call 602-534-3751.
Media Contact:
| Sina Matthes | 602-534-6648 |