SCI: Annual Conference - Washington DC 2006

SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL'S 50th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE OPENS IN WASHINGTON JULY 13
Citizen Diplomacy Advocates Pledge to Continue Eisenhower's Vision of Peace Through People>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2006

WASHINGTON - More than 1,400 people from 41 countries with an extraordinary passion for fostering goodwill and understanding around the globe will attend the Sister Cities International 50th Anniversary Conference this week in the nation?s capital city.

Special events at the conference include advocacy visits to capitol hill, the National Summit on Citizen Diplomacy, workshops on the Millennium Development Goals, a roundtable forum for local government officials on fostering economic development, receptions at several embassies, a Musical Tribute to Citizen Diplomats at the historic Warner Theatre, and a black-tie gala at the National Building Museum. Noted speakers include Mary Jean Eisenhower, Michael Beschloss, Jerry Abramson, Roger Dow, Ambassador Kenton Keith, Ron Somers, Mark Walton, and Keith Reinhard.

More than 30% of the delegates attending the conference are from outside the United States. There are 43 U.S. states represented among U.S. delegates registered for the event. More than a hundred mayors and top-level local government officials will be among the delegates.

The conference also marks the debut of a new book surveying the fifty-year history of the sister city movement, ?Peace Through People: Fifty Years of Global Citizenship.?

Delegates will mark the 50th anniversary of a grassroots movement envisioned by President Eisenhower during a White House Summit on Citizen Diplomacy on September 11-12, 1956. Additionally, a summit will be held July 11-15 at The George Washington University for more than 200 young leaders ages 16-20.

The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill will host most conference events and press check-in. A detailed schedule is available online at www.sister-cities.org.

Representing more than 2,500 communities in 134 countries, Sister Cities International (www.sister-cities.org) is a citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between the U.S. and communities abroad. 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.

Media Contact: Ami Neiberger-Miller, 202.347.8630 ext. 8251, amiller@sister-cities.org

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