Chicago Recognized for Innovation in Youth & Education
Sister Cities International honored Chicago Sister Cities International Program (CSCIP) for their outstanding sister city program, population over 500,000, at its annual conference this summer in Kansas City, MO. Sister Cities International honors cities for their programs in the United States that work around the globe to promote understanding and peace.
“We are pleased to recognize Chicago as an outstanding member community for their achievements in engaging our youth,” said Patrick Madden, Executive Director of Sister Cities International. “Our committed volunteers make these programs possible and work diligently to foster ties between communities that work towards understanding and peace.”
CSCIP is active in more than 50 Chicago schools and has ongoing programs that have directly engaged over 15,000 youth in global thinking. These programs initiate, implement and support the development of strong ties between Chicago schools and their international counterparts. Through academic exchanges that span language acquisition, cultural exploration, science education, sports and more, CSCIP gives Chicago students access to a global education, while introducing other international students to Chicago’s youth and culture.
The Annual Awards Program was established in 1962 to recognize outstanding sister city programs in the United States. A distinguished panel of judges, for achievements made in 2007, selected winners.
Representing more than 2,500 communities in 137 countries, Sister Cities International is a citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between the U.S. and communities abroad. Begun in 1956 after a White House summit where U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for people-to-people exchanges, sister city partnerships are tailored to local interests and increase global cooperation at the grassroots level. Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation by focusing on sustainable and economic development, youth and education, arts and culture, and humanitarian assistance programs.
