|
Ami Neiberger-Miller Sister Cities International 1301 Pennsylvania Ave Ste 850 Washington, DC 20004 Phone 202.347.8630 Fax 202.393.6524 www.sister-cities.org |
 |
promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding & cooperation - one individual, one community at a time. |
INITIATIVE WITH IRAQ ANNOUNCED
Collaboration Announced by U.S. First Lady Laura Bush During G-8 Summit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2004
WASHINGTON - Six communities in the United States and six cities in Iraq will be paired as international partners through Sister Cities International and receive initial funding to advance the goal of increased communication, cooperation and understanding between citizens of these communities.
The initiative was announced yesterday by First Lady Laura Bush during the G-8 Summit in Sea Island, Ga. In a press statement the First Lady said three American communities "have already taken the first step in the Sister Cities program to link with Iraqi communities as "International Partners for Peace."
The first step in getting the project off the ground, say organizers, is an expression of interest by Iraqi and U.S. communities. "Strong interest has already been expressed by three Iraqi cities and three American communities," said Tim Honey, executive director of Sister Cities International. "The next step in the process will be a review of the program by these communities, and an agreement to enter into a contract with Sister Cities International to provide funding through the Partners for Peace initiative."
This initiative represents a new public-private partnership designed to strengthen relationships between U.S. and Iraqi communities through city-to-city programs. Dallas, Texas, will be paired with Kirkuk, and Tucson, Arizona, will partner with the city of Sulaymaniyah.
The Denver Regional Council of Governments in Colorado will be linked with the province of Baghdad, Iraq. The linkage represents a regional partnership between the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and both the provincial council of Baghdad and the city council of Baghdad. "[We] are committed to continuing and expanding our relationship with the people of Baghdad to improve cross cultural understanding and further the cause and development of peace," said Lorraine Anderson, chair of the Denver Regional Council of Governments. The council fosters cooperation across fifty local governments throughout the Denver metropolitan area. The partnership for peace follows a visit in December 2003 to the Denver area by four members of the Baghdad City Council.
According to Honey, Sister Cities International is accepting letters of interest from U.S. communities in order to find partners for three additional Iraqi cities.
The federal government will contribute initial funding for the project, which will be administered through Sister Cities International. The city-to-city partnerships will initially focus on humanitarian assistance projects, such as Wheelchairs for Peace and Operation Iraqi Children. "As the partnerships between the U.S. and Iraqi communities develop, other programs that benefit the basic needs of the Iraqi people will be explored, such as healthcare, education, information technology, and economic and business development," said Honey.
The "International Partners for Peace" initiative is an important first step. "Many of our U.S. members want to build relationships with communities in Iraq and this project will get the ball rolling. We hope to see strong partnerships emerge down the road thanks to this initiative," stated Honey.
Representing more than 2,400 communities in 123 countries, Sister Cities International (www.sister-cities.org) 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 development, youth and education, arts and culture, humanitarian assistance and economic growth programs.