Celebrating 50 Years of Citizen Diplomacy: 1956 - 2006
** Special Edition
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In January 2007, the new U.S. Congress will convene and consider bold and immediate steps to use "soft power" as a crucial element of US foreign policy. A bi-partisan consensus has emerged in the Congress, and seed grants for sister city exchanges could be part of this legislative package - but the voices of the entire sister city movement - will be needed to secure this funding!
The new line-up in the U.S. Congress provides a window of opportunity for passage of the Sister Cities Exchange Initiative. Long time legislative watchers and Washington lobbying firms tell us that when the leadership changes, opportunities and prospects for new legislation change as well. So here?s what we want for the sister city movement:
When funded, the Sister Cities Exchange Initiative, a five-year, $27,500,000 exchange program, will provide local sister city programs with seed grants to:
- Create 4,320 international citizen exchange opportunities each year, resulting in 21,600 international exchanges over five years.
- Reach out to Islamic communities by annually targeting 500 Islamic exchanges as part of the overall 4,320 general exchanges.
- Enhance the capacity of the Sister Cities International network to undertake international exchanges in the areas of sustainable and economic development, youth and education, and arts and culture.
- Strengthen and solidify existing relationships by creating a virtual Sister Cities International Citizen Diplomat Alumni eNetwork.
- Promote and advance youth involvement in citizen diplomacy.
Each sister city partnership is being asked to contribute $50 to help fund the legislative advocacy effort required to pass this initiative. That's why you need to act NOW. Contact the leadership of your sister city organization and ask if they are considering this request.
The window of opportunity to approach the new Congress will be narrow - that?s why we need your help NOW. Shortly after the first of the year, you will receive more information from Sister Cities International about contacting your Congressional delegation to discuss this important legislation. Start thinking now about the impact your sister city program has made on your community, and on the people you?ve met abroad. These will be valuable stories to share with your elected officials, when you ask them to fund this important initiative.
Imagine a world where 4,320 exchanges can happen in one year - where thousands of people will greet each other in friendship and peace - where they will learn to understand each other better. That's the world we all want. That's the world we need to have. That's the world we are asking for. So join us - and get involved in the Congressional Campaign for Citizen Diplomacy.
You can learn more about the initiative on our website. For questions about involving your sister city partnership in this important effort, please talk to Lynn Olson, 202.347.8630, ext. 8632, lolson@sister-cities.org.
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