SCI: About Sister Cities - Press Releases

MICHAEL CURD ELECTED TO SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 25, 2006

Media Contact: Amanda Straub, 202.347.8630 ext. 4877, communications@sister-cities.org
Source: Lindsay Wilson, 202.347.8630 ext. 4004, lwilson@sister-cities.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Michael Curd of Tempe, Arizona was elected to the Sister Cities International Board of Directors during the Annual Board Meeting on July 15, 2006. The meeting was part of the Sister Cities International 50th Anniversary Conference held in Washington, D.C.

Curd started his Sister Cities International career when he was elected as a Youth Delegate for Tempe Sister Cities in 1990. Through that experience, he lived with a family in Skopje, Yugoslavia for six weeks, and hosted his Yugoslavian "brother" for six weeks. He then joined the Peace Corps, which allowed him to live abroad and interact with different cultures. Curd also completed Spanish and Chi Bemba language immersion programs. He has since volunteered for several Tempe Sister Cities events including Oktoberfest and the selection committee, and is now the organization?s executive secretary.

"The challenges of terrorism, genocide, globalization, disease and environmental change are forcing the citizens of the world to reevaluate their beliefs and seek out new solutions. Sister Cities International continues to be the vehicle for addressing these issues," Curd said.

Along with six other candidates, Curd was elected to a three-year term to the Sister Cities International Board of Directors. A State Coordinator Representative, a Young Professional Ambassador Association Representative and a Youth Representative were also elected to one-year terms.

About Sister Cities International
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. 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.

###