A small team of sister cities staff spent most of November 7 at a Partnership Conference hosted by USAID. The 300+ participants (which included international NGOs, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and a variety of representatives from USAID offices) came from across the U.S. and the globe to discuss how nonprofits can partner with each other and with USAID. It was, in large part, an effort to demystify USAID and how to access the agency. It was a good mix of speakers and presentations. As part of the program I had the opportunity to present the Sister Cities story and offer a sneak peek at our Community Connector web portal.
Community Connector is a project of Sister Cities International, made possible with seed funding from USAID, to donors and recipients of aid and expertise. We are taking our twinning of cities model and applying it virtually - to connect those with need with those with resources. I should note that Community Connector (or C2 as we call it) is not about donations and fundraising, per se. This is about “stuff” – medical or office supplies, books, clothing, educational materials, etc. We hope donor individuals and organizations will be able to deliver the exact goods, services, or expertise to the community in need. We are starting with Africa, and specifically in South Africa as a pilot country.
On a panel later in the day, I joined representatives from the US Chamber of Commerce, Marriott International, U.S. Department of State to talk about public-private partnerships how it can work (the ideal…) and how it does work (they are hard work). It was a good moment to show how local programs partner with Rotary on exchanges and projects and how Sister Cities International partners with other national organizations on programs.
All in all, there was a positive response to Sister Cities International and C2 at our booth and in conversation, which bodes well for our new project. The curious minds in the room were thinking about how to start working with local sister city programs. It always impresses me how quickly people see a connection with their work and sister cities. I’m hopeful our efforts will draw interest from organizations and individuals who may become a new class of citizen diplomats for local programs.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Cincinnati Goes to China
Guest Blogger: Carla Walker, Sister Cities International Board Member and Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Cincinnati
On November 6, a delegation of forty travelers from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, embarked on "The Gardener's Emissary Trip to China." Organized by the Cincinnati Park Board and sponsored by Cincinnati Magazine, the trip highlight is the visit to Liuzhou, China -- one of seven Cincinnati, Ohio Sister Cities. Led by Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, the delegation is scheduled to participate in ceremonies opening the Friendship Park in Liuzhou (a joint project by the Park Departments of Cincinnati and Liuzhou) and celebrate 20 years of a Sister City relations.
First stop -- Beijing!
I thrive in a city atmosphere and was ready to take in everything while in Beijing. Unfortunately, my intake was limited due to extreme jet lag combined with absolute exhaustion from working 7 days a week for the last month.
We arrived Friday evening at Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3 -- built for the 2008 Olympics. I was met by one of my best friends who lives here with her family. She had arranged a dinner party for me to meet some of her friends.
I'm not that swift in the kitchen so I watched as Annie, the cook, prepared an egg dish, chicken with cashews and the most amazing green beans I've ever tasted. I dined with neighbors from Tanzania, Germany, and even some Ohioans (Cincinnati and Toledo). I shared news about Cincinnati, our Sister City network and talked about the election. I learned how they met, where they had traveled and their suggestions of best places to eat. It was the perfect ending to my first evening.
That is until I learned my friend (who is a spa fanatic like myself) scheduled a late evening spa appointment for me at Bodhi Sense. A pedicure, back massage and ninety minutes later...then it was the perfect ending to my first evening.
Day 2 - Beijing
Today was really cold and grey -- or I thought it was grey. I couldn't tell if it was overcast or if what I was seeing was the infamous pollution that is a constant companion in the story of Beijing. What ever it was, it didn't stop us or anyone else.
There are more than 17 million residents here with more than 2 million cars. Under a new policy, cars are allowed on roads on different days depending on the last digit of their license.
After running errands, we explored a market. Stepping through the doorway, I was hit with shoes, socks, purses, belts, silk nightshirts, pashminas, hats, paintings, jewelry....anything you want, it's there. I'm a shopper. It's what I do. However, the hundreds of back-to-back mini-stalls with merchandise oozing from every corner was dizzying even to me. These markets are everywhere and if you can bargain, you can have a lot of fun.
We ate at Old Beijing -- one of the places discussed last night where there are only locals. Next to us were five older gentlemen and a woman. They spoke no English but we managed to communicate and toast each other a few times. They graciously showed me another way to hold my chopsticks.
Temple of Heaven was our next stop. The temple, completely made of wood, has had some major renovation and touch ups on a few occasions. What an active and vibrant place. There were groups and crowds gathered in different areas. Some sang the national anthem. Some offered their version of opera. Some played cards or hackeysac. Some were having tea and a snack. All I could do was walk around in absolute awe and soak up the energy of that ancient, ornate, brightly colored beautiful structure.
Coming Next: The Great Wall and Shanghai
On November 6, a delegation of forty travelers from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, embarked on "The Gardener's Emissary Trip to China." Organized by the Cincinnati Park Board and sponsored by Cincinnati Magazine, the trip highlight is the visit to Liuzhou, China -- one of seven Cincinnati, Ohio Sister Cities. Led by Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, the delegation is scheduled to participate in ceremonies opening the Friendship Park in Liuzhou (a joint project by the Park Departments of Cincinnati and Liuzhou) and celebrate 20 years of a Sister City relations.
First stop -- Beijing!
I thrive in a city atmosphere and was ready to take in everything while in Beijing. Unfortunately, my intake was limited due to extreme jet lag combined with absolute exhaustion from working 7 days a week for the last month.
We arrived Friday evening at Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3 -- built for the 2008 Olympics. I was met by one of my best friends who lives here with her family. She had arranged a dinner party for me to meet some of her friends.
I'm not that swift in the kitchen so I watched as Annie, the cook, prepared an egg dish, chicken with cashews and the most amazing green beans I've ever tasted. I dined with neighbors from Tanzania, Germany, and even some Ohioans (Cincinnati and Toledo). I shared news about Cincinnati, our Sister City network and talked about the election. I learned how they met, where they had traveled and their suggestions of best places to eat. It was the perfect ending to my first evening.
That is until I learned my friend (who is a spa fanatic like myself) scheduled a late evening spa appointment for me at Bodhi Sense. A pedicure, back massage and ninety minutes later...then it was the perfect ending to my first evening.
Day 2 - Beijing
Today was really cold and grey -- or I thought it was grey. I couldn't tell if it was overcast or if what I was seeing was the infamous pollution that is a constant companion in the story of Beijing. What ever it was, it didn't stop us or anyone else.
There are more than 17 million residents here with more than 2 million cars. Under a new policy, cars are allowed on roads on different days depending on the last digit of their license.
After running errands, we explored a market. Stepping through the doorway, I was hit with shoes, socks, purses, belts, silk nightshirts, pashminas, hats, paintings, jewelry....anything you want, it's there. I'm a shopper. It's what I do. However, the hundreds of back-to-back mini-stalls with merchandise oozing from every corner was dizzying even to me. These markets are everywhere and if you can bargain, you can have a lot of fun.
We ate at Old Beijing -- one of the places discussed last night where there are only locals. Next to us were five older gentlemen and a woman. They spoke no English but we managed to communicate and toast each other a few times. They graciously showed me another way to hold my chopsticks.
Temple of Heaven was our next stop. The temple, completely made of wood, has had some major renovation and touch ups on a few occasions. What an active and vibrant place. There were groups and crowds gathered in different areas. Some sang the national anthem. Some offered their version of opera. Some played cards or hackeysac. Some were having tea and a snack. All I could do was walk around in absolute awe and soak up the energy of that ancient, ornate, brightly colored beautiful structure.
Coming Next: The Great Wall and Shanghai
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Sister Cities at UN Habitat's World Urban Forum
Guest Blogger: Jim Doumas, Executive Vice President, Sister Cities International
I write today at the conclusion of the fourth session of the UN Habitat's World Urban Forum (WUF 4) in Nanjing, China. The theme of the forum was “Harmonious Urbanization” and how to integrate social, economic and environmental sustainable development into urban planning. If WUF 4 did nothing else, it ce
rtainly reinforced the fact that the world is at a tipping point particularly as it comes to the environment. Rapid urbanization is exacerbating a carbon gas crisis that threatens our very near future. The climate catastrophes that we have been reading about are no longer in the “future” but rather in our immediate future if we do not find a way to answer key issues associated with rapid urbanization. This coupled with the issues of poverty, homelessness and other negatives associated with rapid urbanization were the fodder assigned to the delegate discussions.
WUF 4 was attended by representatives from every country in the world which demonstrates the issue’s importance as a global crisis. Also, the eco-environment protection theme was accentuated in Nanjing as each day the air pollution of the city suffocated the delegates on our way to and from the forum. China has almost half its population (nearly 590 million people) living in urban communities and estimates suggest that this number will continue to increase by 10 million a year as we proceed deeper into the 21st century. Large population drifts from rural to urban areas are occurring everywhere on the planet and in many instances quality of life is not necessarily improving. In Uganda, Africa, for example, urbanization has not led to the end of poverty. Issues regarding homelessness and the lack of adequate land use are exacerbating the population surge.
Representing Sister Cities International, I had the opportunity to discuss our community in two seminar presentations. The first was a discussion on the importance of and how to engage private citizens in urban sustainable development with Duane Kissick from AECOM International, as well as an overview of the upcoming Global Mayors Forum in China next fall. The second presentation was a panel discussion regarding comprehensive planning on urban development with the International Centre for Sustainable Cities of Canada and the International Mayors Communication Centre of China.
How can Sister Cities International become more a part of the solution? In every session I attended as well as the two sessions that I presented in, there were many solutions discussed ranging from the need to implement broad sweeping social justice changes to existing laws, to technological and sustainable development programs that ensure adequate protection of our earth’s eco-system. Regardless of the idea discussed, in each case, the underlying theme for successful completion of a solution required the unilateral support of entire communities, governments, businesses, local nongovernmental organizations, and grassroots leaders.
Sister Cities International and its grassroots network are uniquely positioned to bring all of these players to the table. Our community has also proven, through the existence of successful sustainable development projects, a proven track record. Our conduit for peace, mutual respect, and understanding is an important piece of the puzzle as a change generator for urban sustainable development.
At a world forum focused on quality of life issues and our planet’s survival over the next decade, it was a pleasure to introduce and highlight our community to attendees as a viable source to facilitate many of the ideas that were brought to the table.
I write today at the conclusion of the fourth session of the UN Habitat's World Urban Forum (WUF 4) in Nanjing, China. The theme of the forum was “Harmonious Urbanization” and how to integrate social, economic and environmental sustainable development into urban planning. If WUF 4 did nothing else, it ce
rtainly reinforced the fact that the world is at a tipping point particularly as it comes to the environment. Rapid urbanization is exacerbating a carbon gas crisis that threatens our very near future. The climate catastrophes that we have been reading about are no longer in the “future” but rather in our immediate future if we do not find a way to answer key issues associated with rapid urbanization. This coupled with the issues of poverty, homelessness and other negatives associated with rapid urbanization were the fodder assigned to the delegate discussions.
WUF 4 was attended by representatives from every country in the world which demonstrates the issue’s importance as a global crisis. Also, the eco-environment protection theme was accentuated in Nanjing as each day the air pollution of the city suffocated the delegates on our way to and from the forum. China has almost half its population (nearly 590 million people) living in urban communities and estimates suggest that this number will continue to increase by 10 million a year as we proceed deeper into the 21st century. Large population drifts from rural to urban areas are occurring everywhere on the planet and in many instances quality of life is not necessarily improving. In Uganda, Africa, for example, urbanization has not led to the end of poverty. Issues regarding homelessness and the lack of adequate land use are exacerbating the population surge.
Representing Sister Cities International, I had the opportunity to discuss our community in two seminar presentations. The first was a discussion on the importance of and how to engage private citizens in urban sustainable development with Duane Kissick from AECOM International, as well as an overview of the upcoming Global Mayors Forum in China next fall. The second presentation was a panel discussion regarding comprehensive planning on urban development with the International Centre for Sustainable Cities of Canada and the International Mayors Communication Centre of China.
How can Sister Cities International become more a part of the solution? In every session I attended as well as the two sessions that I presented in, there were many solutions discussed ranging from the need to implement broad sweeping social justice changes to existing laws, to technological and sustainable development programs that ensure adequate protection of our earth’s eco-system. Regardless of the idea discussed, in each case, the underlying theme for successful completion of a solution required the unilateral support of entire communities, governments, businesses, local nongovernmental organizations, and grassroots leaders.
Sister Cities International and its grassroots network are uniquely positioned to bring all of these players to the table. Our community has also proven, through the existence of successful sustainable development projects, a proven track record. Our conduit for peace, mutual respect, and understanding is an important piece of the puzzle as a change generator for urban sustainable development.
At a world forum focused on quality of life issues and our planet’s survival over the next decade, it was a pleasure to introduce and highlight our community to attendees as a viable source to facilitate many of the ideas that were brought to the table.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Reflecting on the Future
Today's a big day for the future. Irrespective of what side of the political aisle you sit on, the future of America's foreign policy and impact across the globe will be decided. This may seem like an overstatement, but quite frankly it's not. This business of "America's role in the world" is serious. In recent days, I've read punditry about how during the Clintonian 90s the world was bothered by America's hubris - yet, they (aka "the rest of the world") really have a problem with the past 8 years of America's engagement with the world. In another breath I'm reading about the impact of U.S.'s dramatic increase in funding for international development under this administration. In Africa alone it's quadrupled, which has some parts of the continent buzzing. Hypocritical? Yea probably, but it does demonstrate the value America - and Americans - bring to the world.
War, peace, aid, terrorism, diplomacy, global partnerships: the to-do list abroad is long for the next President. Every Presidential election is important. But, with so many massive issues to grapple with, this one feels like the country is looking at the future just a bit more closely.
War, peace, aid, terrorism, diplomacy, global partnerships: the to-do list abroad is long for the next President. Every Presidential election is important. But, with so many massive issues to grapple with, this one feels like the country is looking at the future just a bit more closely.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Mission-driven in Crisis
By Guest Blogger: Michael Hyatt, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sister Cities International
Getting ready to go for two weeks in South Africa in the middle of the worst financial times since the “Great Depression” is beginning to seem quite challenging. Having looked forward to the Partnership and Peace Tour for over a year, I now wonder about the consequences of being away. However it appears the entire world is affected by this crisis and I’m anxious to see how we handle it.
In Egypt last year I was able to meet local, state and national officials who recognize the need for world peace in settings one can only dream about. On one occasion we visited with the Governor of Aswan over coffee late at night floating on the Nile. Our military backgrounds gave us a common base for our discussions while we talked about the need for peace and their efforts to locate a sister city relationship (One objective achieved: Aswan is now partnered with Sonoma, CA.).
Having been to South Africa before, I’m looking forward to meeting officials and bringing our message to them. Now more than ever, the need for Sister Cities International is evident. Trying times in the world brings the need for unity in order to find the solution. Governments are now working together to bring the markets back to an orderly fashion, yet my sister city friends from Swaziland have contacted me and asked me to bring information, policies and strategies from Fort Worth to help them. I’ll be meeting with the United States Ambassador, local officials and members of the Swaziland Parliament to let them know what we are doing that will ultimately help them.
Times aren’t easy but neither is our mission. I know the efforts we expend on these trips will be repaid many times.
Getting ready to go for two weeks in South Africa in the middle of the worst financial times since the “Great Depression” is beginning to seem quite challenging. Having looked forward to the Partnership and Peace Tour for over a year, I now wonder about the consequences of being away. However it appears the entire world is affected by this crisis and I’m anxious to see how we handle it.
In Egypt last year I was able to meet local, state and national officials who recognize the need for world peace in settings one can only dream about. On one occasion we visited with the Governor of Aswan over coffee late at night floating on the Nile. Our military backgrounds gave us a common base for our discussions while we talked about the need for peace and their efforts to locate a sister city relationship (One objective achieved: Aswan is now partnered with Sonoma, CA.).
Having been to South Africa before, I’m looking forward to meeting officials and bringing our message to them. Now more than ever, the need for Sister Cities International is evident. Trying times in the world brings the need for unity in order to find the solution. Governments are now working together to bring the markets back to an orderly fashion, yet my sister city friends from Swaziland have contacted me and asked me to bring information, policies and strategies from Fort Worth to help them. I’ll be meeting with the United States Ambassador, local officials and members of the Swaziland Parliament to let them know what we are doing that will ultimately help them.
Times aren’t easy but neither is our mission. I know the efforts we expend on these trips will be repaid many times.
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Unwitting Citizen Diplomat
You’d be stunned at the number of organizations who commit their livelihood to world peace. It’s amazing to me with all these smart people thinking, talking, writing, meeting, strategizing about world peace, you’d think we would have figured it out by now. That said, I’ll leave the big brains to their work and raise one side of peace movement you don’t hear enough about: citizen diplomats.
What’s a citizen diplomat, you ask? (You aren’t alone.) It’s not one thing, it’s many things (this is the problem.) Simply put, it is average citizens who find a way to connect us to the rest of the world and connect the world us. Anyone can qualify. You don’t need to be a Rhodes scholar or a Foreign Service Officer for the State Department. You need to be curious about other people, places, and cultures. Note: I said you don’t need to be an expert–just be open to the journey. So what does that mean – here’s a few ideas of things you can do:
--Surf the internet for global news about countries you’ve never heard of or don’t know where they are (…but don’t do this until you finish reading my blog)
--Volunteer for the German beer festival (or just attend and try the beer!)
--Hold a book club meeting in your house to discuss a book with an international bent
--Speak a foreign language
--Host a foreign exchange student
--Get a passport
--Encourage a college student to study abroad
--Attend a world music concert
--Go to a lecture about a different culture
--Speak at your local elementary school about a country you’ve been to
--Patron a local company owned or run by immigrants
--Take a vacation abroad
This last one is worth an experience...on a recent ride from the airport to my hotel. I was the only passenger in a shuttle van and I had the Chatty Cathy driver. His bio: your very average Midwestern, polite man in his upper 70s. We talked sports, politics, the economy, and vacations (it was a long ride). This man has been a retired police officer for more than 20 years. His voice energized as he told about his favorite vacations, a notable cruise to Alaska was a highlight. I mentioned traveling to Belfast and Northern Ireland if he hadn’t been yet. He paused, glanced at me and proceeded to rattle off an armload of countries he and his wife had visited on vacations—and they weren’t your usual American in Paris moment. The safari in Kenya was memorable, the boat ride in China was fun, and so on and so on. He also told me how be brags about his trips to his friends he meets every morning at McDonalds to yak (his word not mine.)
What a great citizen diplomat he was and he didn’t even know it. I’m not sure why I tagged him as a typical American uninterested in the world. Just another reminder, there is no single profile of these quiet peace workers. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, educational backgrounds, quirks, and opinions. I can’t think of a better citizen diplomat to send abroad, but the best part: he was having a ball with life. What else can you ask for?
Interested in learning more about citizen diplomacy? Visit our website, www.sister-cities.org or www.uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Pride in Peace
I spent last week in Belfast, Northern Ireland preparing for the 2009 Sister Cities International Conference. What a place and what a story. With half Irish blood, I thought I had a fairly good understanding of “The Troubles” (as they are so eloquently called there.) Understanding The Troubles and talking to people who experienced The Troubles are two different animals. Ten years after the Good Friday Agreement it is stunning how many symbols of the violence remain in and around Belfast— such as peace walls, murals, and country flags in fronts yards. This surprised me. The outward expression seemed dated based on how wonderful I had heard things were going.
In part, it is important to remember and reflect on where you’ve been as a society and where you want to go. This manifests itself in visual icons fro some. No one was asking another person to give up who they are or their cultural heritage. But, what was striking, was the dialogue around where Northern Ireland is now. Everyone I spoke to perked up when they spoke about the status of the negotiated peace. “That’s behind us… did you see all the construction in downtown Belfast?” “We have changed our school and youth service structure. Before you could grown up, get a job, and live your life without ever meeting someone from the “other side,” I don’t think that exists now.”
As you dig more, of course like any citizen, people have frustrations with the national government. For example, the Executive (the First Minister/Deputy First Minister offices and agencies) hadn’t met in months and it was holding up important funding legislation. I thought to myself, that sounds very familiar.
But what told the story in a more striking fashion was the nonverbal communication – everyone smiled, stood more upright, looked me determinedly in the eyes. There was a sense that they had weathered the storm and the wind was at their back.
In part, it is important to remember and reflect on where you’ve been as a society and where you want to go. This manifests itself in visual icons fro some. No one was asking another person to give up who they are or their cultural heritage. But, what was striking, was the dialogue around where Northern Ireland is now. Everyone I spoke to perked up when they spoke about the status of the negotiated peace. “That’s behind us… did you see all the construction in downtown Belfast?” “We have changed our school and youth service structure. Before you could grown up, get a job, and live your life without ever meeting someone from the “other side,” I don’t think that exists now.”
As you dig more, of course like any citizen, people have frustrations with the national government. For example, the Executive (the First Minister/Deputy First Minister offices and agencies) hadn’t met in months and it was holding up important funding legislation. I thought to myself, that sounds very familiar.
But what told the story in a more striking fashion was the nonverbal communication – everyone smiled, stood more upright, looked me determinedly in the eyes. There was a sense that they had weathered the storm and the wind was at their back.
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