The Richmond Sister Cities Commission will hold meetings the first Wednesday of each month. The meeting agendas will typically include the following:
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 www.council.richmondva.gov
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, 11 June 2010
Richmond Sister Cities Commission to hold meetings
Citizens invited and encouraged to attend
WHAT The Richmond Sister Cities Commission will hold meetings the first Wednesday of each month. The meeting agendas will typically include the following:
• Welcome
• New Business
• Updates
• Committee Reports
• Closing Remarks/Adjournment
WHERE Richmond City Hall – 2nd Floor Large Conference Room
Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
WHEN Wednesday, July 7, 2010; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
WHO The Honorable Bruce Tyler, Councilman, Richmond City Council, West End 1st District; Member, Richmond Sister Cities Commission
Members of the Richmond Sister Cities Commission
CONTACT For more information, please call My Lan Tran, Chairman, Richmond Sister Cities Commission, at 804.646.6046 or tranml@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
BACKGROUND ____________________________________________________________________
The Richmond City Council Sister Cities Commission, established in 1980, manages the Richmond Sister City Program. The Commission operates under guidelines provided by Council and by requirements of the Sister Cities International organization, located in Washington, D. C. An early champion of international relations, Richmond began its first relationship with its namesake, Richmond Upon Thames, England, in 1930.
Overview of Sister City Program
A formal Sister City concept was created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. His idea called for exchanges between Americans and people in other countries, with a goal of fostering peace, understanding and harmony.
The term “Sister City” is used to express a closeness that is engendered through commonalities between communities. Formal friendships are then established to promote cultural understanding and educational and economic prosperity.
For example, cities linked with Richmond are generally capital cities with comparable populations, notable points of historic interest, and potential opportunities for economic development and trade.
Globally, there are more than 2,400 Sister City partnerships in 134 countries. Nineteen Virginia cities represent approximately 50 of those partnerships. This includes seven in Richmond.
Richmond Sister City Relationships
As of May 17, 2010 Richmond maintains the following Sister City relationships:
1. Richmond upon Thames, England
2. Saitama City, Japan
3. Olysztyn, Poland
4. Uijeongbu, Korea
5. Windhoek, Namibia (Africa)
6. Zhengzhou, China
7. Segou, Republic of Mali (Africa)
Interest
Throughout the year, Richmond City Council receives requests from citizens and interested cities regarding its Sister Cities Program, which are shared with the Commission.
Recent Sister Cities Activities
Republic of Mali: Richmond added Segou, Republic of Mali as a Sister City in 2009 and received a visiting delegation from the City of Segou on October 12, 2009.
Richmond upon Thames: 2008 visit from the Mayor and Councilmember's to Richmond; 2007 visit of Mayor and Council members. Planning for Virginia’s 2007 celebration.
Zhenghou, China: Continued supporting teacher exchanges of art and culture through museums, economic trips to China (conducted by Governor of Virginia with representation from Richmond). A book collection was presented to Richmond citizens from Zhengzhou citizens, which is displayed at the City’s Main Library.
Saitama, Japan: Annual baseball exchange between communities. The exchange features 30 10-12 year olds and their families who spend several days in Richmond visiting sites, playing baseball, and developing friendships and cultural understanding.
Windhoek, Namibia: August 2007: the U.S. State Department brought a camera crew to Richmond from Windhoek coordinated events. July 2003: Richmond donated a Fire Truck to Windhoek.
Uijeongbu, Korea: Includes relationships with the Richmond Korean community and business exchange as well as educational and cultural programs.
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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
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MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.
VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
