FOR IMMEDIA TE RELEASE
June 10, 2010
Greater Fort Lauderdale SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL
selected to receive 2010 Best Overall Program and
Innovation: Youth and Education awards
Program Recognized for Excellence and Innovation in Building Partnerships Globally
WASHINGTON, DC - Sister Cities International announced today that Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International (GFLSCI) was selected as the recipient of the Best Overall Program and the Innovation: Youth and Education awards for cities with a population between 100,001 and 500,000. The GFLSCI will be recognized at Sister Cities International's 54th Annual Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
"We are pleased to recognize Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International for its outstanding achievements in citizen diplomacy in 2009," said Patrick Madden, president and CEO of Sister Cities International. "Our awardee programs demonstrate real impact in their own city and around the world."
In 2009, GFLSCI adopted Cap Haitien, Haiti as its Sister City of the Year. Besides incorporating the sister city in events and activities, GFLSCI allocated a portion of its funds to assist Haiti's Dollar a Tree reforestation program. The year also marked the inauguration of the Youth Ambassadors Program in Kaohsiung County, Taiwan, which resulted in an enriching student exchange program.
This past year, GFLSCI also created The Honey Project, an international economic development program that produces young social entrepreneurs working to alleviate global poverty. The program's mission is to train, inspire, and empower young people to impact the world through social enterprise.
Each award recipient will receive a Sister Cities International commendation during the Lou Wozar Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, July 31 at noon at the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque. The Annual Awards Program was established in 1962 to recognize outstanding sister city programs. Winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges for achievements in 2009.
The 2010 Annual Conference was made possible through the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Department of State, Department of Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Americans for the Arts, and the Carvey Family.
Visit www.sister-cities.org/conference to learn more about the 2010 Annual Conference.
MEDIA CONTACT: Frances Reimers, 202.347.8630 x8251, or freimers@sister-cities.org
About Sister Cities International
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. Facebook: Sister Cities International; Twitter: @SisterCityIntl.
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