SCI: About Sister Cities - Press Releases

SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG WITH DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD

Honor Highlights Global Contributions to Understanding & Peace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 6, 2006

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Honorable Ambassador Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta, received the Sister Cities International Distinguished Leadership Award last week.

The Distinguished Leadership Award was created to recognize exceptional supporters of the sister city movement and to recognize outstanding global leaders. Mae Ferguson, president of the Board of Directors for Sister Cities International presented Young with the award.

"It is an honor to present Ambassador Young with the Sister Cities International Distinguished Leadership Award. The work he has done locally and throughout the world has prompted his colleagues into thinking globally and recognizing the importance of international engagement at the local level," said Ferguson.

The award was presented during The Africa Channel's Atlanta launch party. Sister Cities International has a formal partnership with The Africa Channel, which includes the "Sister Schools Africa" program.

The award was created as part of the organization's 50th Anniversary celebration this year. The movement dates its beginnings to a White House Conference on Citizen Diplomacy convened in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to bring together citizens forging ties with communities abroad. On September 11, 1956, President Eisenhower exhorted delegates, "to help build the road to an enduring peace."

About Ambassador Young
Ambassador Andrew Young is the co-founding principal and chairman of Goodworks International, a leading global advisory firm. He is also The Africa Channel's spokesperson and the chair of its advisory board. Young has served as mayor of Atlanta for two terms, was elected Congressman three times, is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and was co-chair of the Atlanta committee for the Centennial Olympic Games.

As mayor of Atlanta, Young helped establish critical sister city relationships that benefit both Atlanta and its many sister cities. Through his leadership with The Africa Channel, he has helped develop new programs and partnerships on the African Continent through Sister Schools Africa, and also works to promote local economic development in Africa and the Caribbean through Goodworks International.

Photo Available for News Media
CUTLINE: Ambassador Andrew Young receives the Distinguished Leadership Award from Mae Ferguson, president of the Sister Cities International Board of Directors. Ferguson presented Ambassador Young with the Sister Cities International Distinguished Leadership Award in Atlanta at the Africa Channel's launch event. The award was created to mark the 50th anniversary of the sister city movement this year.

Media Contacts
To request photograph or get more information, contact Mandy Straub or Ami Neiberger-Miller at 202.347.8630 ext. 4877/8251, communications@sister-cities.org, amiller@sister-cities.org

Source
Mae Ferguson, President, Board of Directors, Sister Cities International, 817.392.2654, mae@fwsistercities.org

About Sister Cities International
Representing more than 2,500 communities in 137 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.

###