Mayor Richard M. Daley and Casablanca Deputy Mayor Omar Farkhani met on April 26, 2010 to offer their support to the Casablanca Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI), who was recently awarded a Africa Urban Poverty Alleviation Program (AUPAP) grant by Sister Cities International. The Casablanca Committee will utilize the two-year, $115,000 grant to design a program to promote partnerships that bring about improved water, sanitation and health services to the citizens of Casablanca most in need. AUPAP is funded by a $7.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Sister Cities International.
“Chicago and Casablanca have a long-standing relationship, dating back to the Sister City signing in 1982. The Africa Urban Poverty Alleviation Program offers a unique opportunity to promote the kind of cross-cultural understanding that helps bring about meaningful relationships around the world,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “The Sister Cities community recognizes the importance of improving the quality of life for people most in need – both in Chicago and overseas – and this kind of humanitarian undertaking fosters good will and makes a meaningful statement about the values of the people of Chicago.” 
Chicago was one of 17 grant recipients selected by an independent panel of five experts in the areas of sister city relationships, aid administration, and international development. Training with and travel to the African partner city for the newly chosen group will take place throughout the remainder of 2010.
“This Sister Cities International program represents a major effort to address fundamental needs of citizens of urban areas in Africa,” said Patrick Madden, President and CEO, Sister Cities International, based in Washington D.C. “These sister cities represent some of the strongest partnerships between the U.S. and Africa and will become the measure of how cities can help each other and leave an enduring legacy in tangible ways.”
Mayor Sajid is visiting Chicago as a participant in the Richard J. Daley Global Cities Forum, held in conjunction with the executive meetings of the World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), April 26-27. Leaders of more than 100 cities and local governments have assembled in Chicago, along with prominent business, civic, academic and foundation leaders for discussions on key urban issues. The Forum represents an important collaboration between Chicago Sister Cities International, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Daley family to honor the legacy of Richard J. Daley.
MEDIA CONTACT: For more information about the Casablanca Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, please contact Natalie Campbell, 312.744.2172 or natalie.campbell@cityofchicago.org. For more information about Sister Cities International and the Africa Urban Poverty Alleviation Program, please contact Frances Reimers, 202.347.8630 x8251 or freimers@sister-cities.org, or visit http://www.sister-cities.org/programs/aupap/index.cfm.
