WASHINGTON, DC – During today’s town hall meeting with college students in Shanghai, China, President Obama highlighted the impact the sister cities movement has on improving issues that affect Chinese and Americans alike.
When asked by a student about the sister cities relationship between Chicago, IL and Shanghai, China the President had this to say, “We have seen what is possible when we build upon our mutual interests, and engage on the basis of mutual respect.”
Founded in 1985, the Chicago—Shanghai sister cities partnership has been one of innovation. In 2008, Chicago Sister Cities International brought together university, business, and civic leaders from Chicago and Shanghai for a progressive sustainable energy project using geothermal and fuel cell technology. A joint team of faculty and students from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Tongji University in Shanghai worked to create energy efficient and cost effective technologies to provide heat and electricity for a portion of a large-scale redevelopment on the south lakefront in Chicago. The project is currently in its second stage of completion.
Sister Cities International is the only U.S.-based organization dedicated to creating long-term city-to-city relationships between U.S. and communities abroad. Created by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 at a White House summit, the organization is a leader in people-to-people exchanges with a network that boasts over 650 U.S. cities with more than 2,000 sister city relationships in 135 countries on six continents. Sister Cites International has 202 partnerships between U.S and Chinese cities. Currently there are 14 Chinese communities in the Sister Cities International’s Cities Seeking Cities Database that are looking for American Counterparts.
“For more than 53 years, sister cities have worked to bridge cultural divides and advance mutual understanding between communities, “said Patrick Madden, President & CEO, Sister Cities International. “President Obama comments at his town hall meeting in Shanghai, China reinforces the importance and impact of Sister Cities International’s network.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Frances Reimers, 202.347.8630 x8251 or freimers@sister-cities.org
Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation by focusing exchanges and public programs on sustainable and economic development, youth and education, arts and culture, and humanitarian assistance. More information about Sister Cities International can be found at www.sister-cities.org.
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