Second Sino - U. S. Sister Cities Conference - July 27-29, 2005
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Letters of Welcome
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- Zhou Wenzhong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China
- Senator Maria Cantwell
- Governor Christine O. Gregoire
Presentations and Sessions
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(All files are in pdf format. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you may download it here for free)
Opening Panel Discussion: Economic Development Through Sister City Partnerships
Presenters will discuss how their communities have used sister/friendship city/state relationships to promote economic development.
- Moderator:
- Ms. Jean Van Buskirk, Board of Directors, Sister Cities International, Baltimore, Maryland
- Mr. Ning Shao, Director, Maryland Center China, Anhui Province
- Mr. Rick Gerrard, Deputy Director, Phoenix Sister Cities Commission, Phoenix, Arizona
- Mr. Wang Dingda, President, Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Yuyao City, Zhejiang
Presenters:
Youth and education remain one of the most common types of sister city exchanges. Presenters will discuss how partnerships can enhance education programs, as well as new developments in international education.
- Moderator:
- Ms. Nancy Huppert, Board of Directors, Sister Cities International, Rochester, New York
- Dr. David Curd, President, College of the Humanities and Sciences Harrison Middleton University
- Mr. Chen Wanji, Jilin Province
Presenters:
Breakout Sessions
- Addressing Environmental Issues through Sister City Partnerships
- Mr. Bill Stafford, Board of Directors, Sister Cities International, Seattle, Washington
- Ms. Eleanor Cooper, Wuxi, China Co-Chair, Sister Cities Association of Chattanooga Inc., Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Mr. Lu Shantu, Deputy Mayor, Wuyishan City, Fujian
- Mr. Matt Montague, Director of Community Relations, Wheelchair Foundation, Danville, California
Sustainable development includes economic and community development, as well as humanitarian reconstruction. Speakers will present local program examples and provide useful information about how sister city partnerships can enhance the quality of life for people in both communities.
- Moderator:
Presenters:
- Improving Intercultural Communication
- Dr. Frederick Peterson, Honors Professor, Washinton State University, Spokane, Washington
- Mr. Cai Yuhe, Deputy Mayor, Jilin City, Jilin
- Ms. Dinh Montane, Vice President of Membership, Long Beach Qingdao Association, Long Beach, California
- Mr. Tian Jie, Han Zhong Municipal People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Han Zong, Shaanxi
Sister and friendship relationships thrive on their similarities and celebrate their differences, but sometimes those differences lead to cross-cultural misunderstanding. Presenters in this session will discuss their own experiences and offer suggestions for avoiding and dealing with common miscommunication issues.
- Moderator:
Presenters:
- Showcase of Exchange Programs
- Ms. Sandy Marvinney, Secretary, Seattle-Chongqing Sister Cities Association, Seattle, Washington
- Mr. Pan Yue, Deputy Director, Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office, Suzhou City, Jiangsu
- Mr. Alan Lamson, Chair, China Subcommittee, Pasadena Sister Cities Committee, Pasadena California
- Mr. Hong Jinhua, Deputy Mayor, Yang Zhou City
This best practice session will offer practical advice and showcase outstanding programs. Attendees will walk away with tips, anecdotes, and ideas that they can implement in their own partnership.
- Moderator:
Presenters:
Gala Closing Banquet, sponsored by The Boeing Company
- Keynote and Toast:
- Laura Peterson, Vice President of International Relations, The Boeing Company