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'SISTER SCHOOLS AFRICA' PROGRAM LINKS STUDENTS IN THE U.S. WITH CLASSROOMS ABROAD Initiative by Sister Cities International and The Africa Channel to Build Student Friendships & Help Teachers FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2006 WASHINGTON - Sister Cities International and the Africa Channel are launching a joint effort to help U.S. K-12 students clearly see Africa for all it has to offer. By matching up classrooms in the U.S. and Africa through the new 'Sister Schools Africa' program, thousands of schoolchildren will make new friends and explore diverse cultures using email, video link-ups, art exchanges and even personal visits. Classrooms can collaborate together to learn each other's native languages, conduct science experiments, or compare their communities and schools. "Children today are growing up in a globally connected society, and we have to prepare them to be global citizens who can engage with people on the other side of the world," said Tim Honey, executive director of Sister Cities International. "The Sister Schools Africa program will give teachers and students a way to shape the next generation of leaders. This program will go a long way to fostering peace and friendship." More than just increasing global understanding, organizers say this interaction will make participating children more competitive in the international marketplace. "Modern-day Africans want to be heard, and they want to participate in the global economy, but they can't participate if people don't know who they are," asserts James Makawa, CEO and founder of the Africa Channel. "By connecting U.S. students at an early age with African peers to talk about music, politics, and language, Sister Schools Africa will help them operate more effectively and collaboratively in the global economy." The Africa Channel will work with Sister Cities International and iEARN to develop content for its website, www.theafricachannel.com," based on new initiatives as the Sister Schools Africa program develops. Sister Schools Africa is an extension of the 'Sister Schools' initiative recently begun by Sister Cities International. Teachers who would like to get involved in 'Sister Schools Africa' can go to www.sister-cities.org and click on 'Sister Schools.' Participating classrooms will gain access to the international educational resources provided by iEARN-USA , which is supported with a partial scholarship. For only $50, a teacher will have access to thousands of projects around the world, as well as curriculum and professional development resources. An entire Sister School can get the benefits of iEARN-USA membership for only $180. "The program creates globally literate young people and makes it easier and more attractive for teachers to introduce international elements into lesson plans. This collaboration is a valuable step," said Danielle Segall, the program manager for the project. About Sister Cities International Sister Cities International officially partnered with the Africa Channel in July 2005. Representing more than 2,500 communities in 134 countries, Sister Cities International 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. About The Africa Channel The premiere of the Africa Channel last September marked a milestone in U.S. television history allowing American audiences to experience the daily successes, celebrations and challenges of people living throughout Africa, all via a general entertainment network. The channel launched with more than 1,600 hours of English-language programming, including news and information, travel, and lifestyle, music, soaps, talk, reality, feature films and special events. Long-time TV industry executives James Makawa, Jacob Arback and Richard Hammer founded the network. Its initial partners include Ambassador Andrew Young and his company, Goodworks International, Weller/Grossman Productions, and National Basketball Association stars Dikembe Mutombo and Theo Ratliff. For more information about the channel, please visit www.theafricachannel.com. Media Contacts
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