With One Month To Go, Momentum Builds Around Sister Cities International's 59th Annual Conference In
WITH ONE MONTH TO GO, MOMENTUM BUILDS AROUND SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL'S
59TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN
JULY 16-18, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC (June 17, 2015) - Today, Sister Cities International along with the city of Minneapolis are marking a major milestone moment with just over a month until the 59th Annual Sister Cities International Conference July 16-18, 2015. This major convening will bring together hundreds of the most influential people who are leading innovation, policy, business, and diplomacy from key cities all around the world. These elected and municipal officials, diplomats, youth delegates, and business leaders will assemble from around the globe to discuss this year's theme of "Bridging Generations for Peace." This theme - building on President Eisenhower's original vision for creating world peace by building global relationships - is extremely timely as the next generation of leaders takes this vision to the future, and new technology transforms the way these relationships are founded, built, and sustained.
"We are proud of our 11 sister city relationships and we look forward to welcoming the attendees of Sister Cities International's 59th Annual Conference," Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said. "Minneapolis' rich history with the sister cities is evident by the dedicated members of each committee locally and the relationships formed throughout the world."
This year's Conference agenda will create momentum for sustaining world peace and will feature specialized sessions on topics such as global crisis communications, sports diplomacy, best practices for high school exchanges, fundraising, and humanitarian assistance. The Conference will offer special programing and will take attendees to see the best Minneapolis has to offer via a city bike tour and a view into its deep cultural roots during a diaspora track.
Conference speakers include Dave Christian, Retired American Professional Ice Hockey Forward and Olympic Gold Medalist; Representative Christina Hale, Congresswoman, Indiana's 87th District; Rudy Maxa, Host and Executive Producer of "Rudy Maxa's World"; Tony Sanneh, Retired Professional Soccer Player, U.S. Department of State Sports Envoy; and Governor Jesse Ventura, 38th Governor of Minnesota and Former Professional Wrestler. Companies and institutions represented include the U.S. Department of State, Kiwanis International, J. Murphy & Associates, Project C.U.R.E., World Endeavors, Bentz Whaley Flessner, and many more.
As part of this year's Conference, a separate Youth Leadership Summit for high school students (ages 14-18) will convene around the theme "Peace through International Service." The Summit is designed to engage the next generation of leaders and expose them to important global challenges through a Model UN simulation, service learning project, and various panels.
Sister Cities International President and CEO Mary D. Kane said, "We are excited to host our 59th Annual Conference in the great city of Minneapolis. This year's gathering will demonstrate the invaluable role that sister cities play in creating and sustaining world peace through diplomacy as well as the important role that young people play in fostering this movement."
For more information about the Conference, visit www.SisterCitiesConference.org. For the 2015 Agenda, visit sistercities.org/2015Agenda.
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About Sister Cities International
Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International serves as the national membership organization for over 545 individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States with relationships in nearly 2,100 communities in 145 countries on six continents. This sister city network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers who work tirelessly to promote the organizations' mission of creating world peace and understanding through economic and sustainable development programs, youth and education projects, arts and culture, and humanitarian assistance.
Facebook: Sister Cities International; Twitter: @SisterCitieslnt; Website: www.sistercities.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Anastasia Dellaccio
202-347-8637
