Category: Uncategorized

Proposed City Budget Contains No Funding for Sister Cities

Posted on by Fort Worth Sister Cities
Fort Worth, TX—Nation’s Best Program in Jeopardy The City of Fort Worth’s proposed FY2012/13 budget contains no funding for Fort Worth Sister Cities.   This total cut in funding may seriously jeopardize Fort Worth Sister Cities’ continued existence. After a meeting in which the Mayor indicated further consideration of funding may be given,  Brad Mahon, Chairman of the Board stated, “We are hopeful the funding will be directly designated in the budget so that we can continue to provide award-winning programs on behalf of the City.” Fort Worth has been recognized as having the Best Overall Program in the U.S. from the national organization eight times, more than any other city in the U.S. “Since starting Fort Worth Sister Cities in 1985 during my mayoral term, I have watched Sister Cities grow youth leadership programs, travel exchanges and business expansions around the world,” said former Mayor Bob Bolen. Sister city relationships are municipal government agreements recognized by the U.S. Dept. of State.  Fort Worth has eight such recognized official agreements signed by Mayors of Fort Worth beginning in 1985.  Sister Cities, who manages these relationships, received $100,000 from the City this year which is 20% of its core budget. Fort Worth Sister Cities programs yield an annual economic impact of $2.6 million to the City of Fort Worth hosting over 500 visitors annually.   It leverages international relationships to attract economic connections and tourism.

2012-08-21 08:11

Proposed City Budget Contains No Funding for Sister Cities

Fort Worth, TX—Nation’s Best Program in Jeopardy The City of Fort Worth’s proposed FY2012/13 budget contains no funding for Fort Worth Sister Cities.   This total cut in funding may seriously jeopardize Fort Worth Sister Cities’ continued existence. After a meeting in which the Mayor indicated further consideration of funding may be given,  Brad Mahon, Chairman of the Board stated, “We are hopeful the funding will be directly designated in the budget so that we can continue to provide award-winning programs on behalf of the City.” Fort Worth has been recognized as having the Best Overall Program in the U.S. from the national organization eight times, more than any other city in the U.S. “Since starting Fort Worth Sister Cities in 1985 during my mayoral term, I have watched Sister Cities grow youth leadership programs, travel exchanges and business expansions around the world,” said former Mayor Bob Bolen. Sister city relationships are municipal government agreements recognized by the U.S. Dept. of State.  Fort Worth has eight such recognized official agreements signed by Mayors of Fort Worth beginning in 1985.  Sister Cities, who manages these relationships, received $100,000 from the City this year which is 20% of its core budget. Fort Worth Sister Cities programs yield an annual economic impact of $2.6 million to the City of Fort Worth hosting over 500 visitors annually.   It leverages international relationships to attract economic connections and tourism.

Emerging Leaders Network Summer Celebration of Global Leaders

Posted on by Fort Worth Sister Cities
Fort Worth Sister Cities is saluting  its international global leaders with a special Emerging Leaders Network summer celebration.  Jason Lamers, Chief of Staff for the Mayor and Fort Worth City Council, will share his thoughts on global involvement at the city level.   We will also recognize recent high school graduates, hear from the Yamagata Emerging Leader scholar Gladys Guevara, and see a presentation from our first Emerging Leaders Scholar, Keome Rowe who recently returned from Mbabane, Swaziland where he served as the Associate Delegation Leader. Our international delegation leaders and office interns from Toluca, Mexico; Reggio Emilia, Italy; Trier, Germany; Mbabane, Swaziland and South Korea will also be recognized. Other special entertainment to be announced. This is sure to be an awesome evening to meet new friends and re-establish old friendships. Don’t miss the fun!
Date: Wednesday, July 25th
Time: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Garden’s Restaurant, 3220 Rock Springs Road Fort Worth, TX 76107
Cost: $15.00 for members and $20.00 for non-members
Cash Bar
RSVP by July 20th to Beth Weibel at 817-632-7105 or beth@fwsistercities.org Your advanced paid registration secures your reservation. Debit/credit cards accepted by phone or send payment to:
Fort Worth Sister Cities International
610 Grove Street
Fort Worth, TX  76102-5555
PayPal payment:
Emerging Leaders Network Summer Celebration of Global Leaders–Members $15:
Name(s) on RSVP
Emerging Leaders Network Summer Celebration of Global Leaders–Non-Members $20:
Name(s) on RSVP

2012-06-19 08:17

Emerging Leaders Network Summer Celebration of Global Leaders

Fort Worth Sister Cities is saluting  its international global leaders with a special Emerging Leaders Network summer celebration.  Jason Lamers, Chief of Staff for the Mayor and Fort Worth City Council, will share his thoughts on global involvement at the city level.   We will also recognize recent high school graduates, hear from the Yamagata Emerging Leader scholar Gladys Guevara, and see a presentation from our first Emerging Leaders Scholar, Keome Rowe who recently returned from Mbabane, Swaziland where he served as the Associate Delegation Leader. Our international delegation leaders and office interns from Toluca, Mexico; Reggio Emilia, Italy; Trier, Germany; Mbabane, Swaziland and South Korea will also be recognized. Other special entertainment to be announced. This is sure to be an awesome evening to meet new friends and re-establish old friendships. Don’t miss the fun!

Date: Wednesday, July 25th
Time: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Garden’s Restaurant, 3220 Rock Springs Road Fort Worth, TX 76107
Cost: $15.00 for members and $20.00 for non-members
Cash Bar
RSVP by July 20th to Beth Weibel at 817-632-7105 or beth@fwsistercities.org Your advanced paid registration secures your reservation. Debit/credit cards accepted by phone or send payment to:
Fort Worth Sister Cities International
610 Grove Street
Fort Worth, TX  76102-5555
PayPal payment:
Emerging Leaders Network Summer Celebration of Global Leaders–Members $15:
Name(s) on RSVP
Emerging Leaders Network Summer Celebration of Global Leaders–Non-Members $20:
Name(s) on RSVP

Toluca Trade Mission Coming to Fort Worth

Posted on by Fort Worth Sister Cities

Trade Mission from Toluca, Mexico Coming to Fort Worth

For the past year, since Toluca, Mexico sent officials to Fort Worth to develop new connections, Sister Cities, in partnership with the City’s Economic Development Dept. staff and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, have been working on a trade mission between the two cities.  Businesses from Toluca, interested in working with companies in Fort Worth, will travel here June 24-27.  The Chamber and City staff have matched the Mexican companies with similar companies in Fort Worth and have scheduled one-on-one meetings to discuss business opportunities.  Sister Cities members will act as Cultural Ambassadors and day hosts showing our visitors what’s unique about Fort Worth. If you would like to help with transportation or translation services, please call Eva Rodriquez at 817/632-7100. Information on the welcoming reception should be available soon.

2012-05-25 02:56

Toluca Trade Mission Coming to Fort Worth

Trade Mission from Toluca, Mexico Coming to Fort Worth

For the past year, since Toluca, Mexico sent officials to Fort Worth to develop new connections, Sister Cities, in partnership with the City’s Economic Development Dept. staff and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, have been working on a trade mission between the two cities.  Businesses from Toluca, interested in working with companies in Fort Worth, will travel here June 24-27.  The Chamber and City staff have matched the Mexican companies with similar companies in Fort Worth and have scheduled one-on-one meetings to discuss business opportunities.  Sister Cities members will act as Cultural Ambassadors and day hosts showing our visitors what’s unique about Fort Worth. If you would like to help with transportation or translation services, please call Eva Rodriquez at 817/632-7100. Information on the welcoming reception should be available soon.

Fort Worth Youth Ambassadors To Visit China

Posted on by Fort Worth Sister Cities
Fort Worth, Texas – Sister Cities sends students to China to represent U.S. as goodwill ambassadors on inaugural exchange Fort Worth will reach a milestone in international exchanges this year sending 12 Youth Ambassadors to China for the first time to represent the U.S. and Fort Worth in a reciprocal educational program. Exchange programs are a key element in the overall programing for Fort Worth Sister Cities and this unique opportunity for Fort Worth students is no exception. The students depart June 6 for a two-week program in Guiyang, Fort Worth’s 8th sister city, along with a visit to Beijing where they will be briefed by U.S. Embassy staff.   While in Guiyang the students will be home hosted by local families for a unique experience and glimpse into the Chinese lifestyle. Exchanges with each of Fort Worth’s eight sister cities provide students the opportunity to spend 9-15 days with an international host family and experience the local history, culture and customs.  This is done as citizen diplomats and gives students a better understanding of other cultures providing them an international education only these programs can offer. All student applicants (8-12th) participate in a vigorous selection process including teacher recommendations, essays and personal interviews. Youth Ambassadors to China include:  Spencer Bartlett, Claudia Carranza, Joshua Cristol, Matthew Dang, Zachary Harris, Zackery Kurima-Blough, Sanish Shrestha, Arian Martinez, Syed Madeeha Sadiq, Bitaal Syed Sadiq, accompanied by delegation leaders Glen Mears and Irene Chase, Vice President of Fort Worth Sister Cities and Associate Leaders Stephanie      Atkinson and Andrew Lockhart.

2012-05-25 12:30

Fort Worth Youth Ambassadors To Visit China

Fort Worth, Texas – Sister Cities sends students to China to represent U.S. as goodwill ambassadors on inaugural exchange Fort Worth will reach a milestone in international exchanges this year sending 12 Youth Ambassadors to China for the first time to represent the U.S. and Fort Worth in a reciprocal educational program. Exchange programs are a key element in the overall programing for Fort Worth Sister Cities and this unique opportunity for Fort Worth students is no exception. The students depart June 6 for a two-week program in Guiyang, Fort Worth’s 8th sister city, along with a visit to Beijing where they will be briefed by U.S. Embassy staff.   While in Guiyang the students will be home hosted by local families for a unique experience and glimpse into the Chinese lifestyle. Exchanges with each of Fort Worth’s eight sister cities provide students the opportunity to spend 9-15 days with an international host family and experience the local history, culture and customs.  This is done as citizen diplomats and gives students a better understanding of other cultures providing them an international education only these programs can offer. All student applicants (8-12th) participate in a vigorous selection process including teacher recommendations, essays and personal interviews. Youth Ambassadors to China include:  Spencer Bartlett, Claudia Carranza, Joshua Cristol, Matthew Dang, Zachary Harris, Zackery Kurima-Blough, Sanish Shrestha, Arian Martinez, Syed Madeeha Sadiq, Bitaal Syed Sadiq, accompanied by delegation leaders Glen Mears and Irene Chase, Vice President of Fort Worth Sister Cities and Associate Leaders Stephanie      Atkinson and Andrew Lockhart.

Fort Worth Ambassadors Travel to Germany, Japan and Swaziland

Posted on by Fort Worth Sister Cities
Fort Worth, Texas – Sister Cities sends goodwill ambassadors to 3 Sister Cities Exchange programs are what it’s all about for Fort Worth Sister Cities.  This summer    delegations will visit three of Fort Worth’s eight sister cities including a Service Adventure group of 9 students and adults visiting Mbabane, Swaziland; 8 students and teacher   traveling to Trier, Germany; and 28 traveling to Nagoaka, Japan including members of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra celebrating Fort Worth’s 25th anniversary with Nagaoka with a gift of music. Exchanges with each of Fort Worth’s sister cities provide youth the opportunity to spend 9-15 days with an international host family, attend schools, make presentations about Texas and the United States and experience the local history, culture and customs.  This is done as citizen diplomats and gives participants a better understanding of other cultures and gives the host cities a better understanding of the U.S. “Students and adults  who participate in outbound exchanges  experience personal growth,  expand their capacity to understand the world as seen through the eyes of    others,  and gain an appreciation of the interconnectedness of all humans regardless of geographical location,” said Sister Cities board member and Mbabane, Swaziland Chair, Dr. Staussa Ervin. Art teachers from Fort Worth ISD will also accompany the group to Swaziland and work with the people of Mbabane on art projects to include painting a mural in the Central  Library of Mbabane.  The Trier, Germany group are taking a City of Fort Worth flag to be hung at the Trier Rathaus (City Hall) to celebrate 25 years of partnership.

2012-05-25 12:01

Fort Worth Ambassadors Travel to Germany, Japan and Swaziland

Fort Worth, Texas – Sister Cities sends goodwill ambassadors to 3 Sister Cities Exchange programs are what it’s all about for Fort Worth Sister Cities.  This summer    delegations will visit three of Fort Worth’s eight sister cities including a Service Adventure group of 9 students and adults visiting Mbabane, Swaziland; 8 students and teacher   traveling to Trier, Germany; and 28 traveling to Nagoaka, Japan including members of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra celebrating Fort Worth’s 25th anniversary with Nagaoka with a gift of music. Exchanges with each of Fort Worth’s sister cities provide youth the opportunity to spend 9-15 days with an international host family, attend schools, make presentations about Texas and the United States and experience the local history, culture and customs.  This is done as citizen diplomats and gives participants a better understanding of other cultures and gives the host cities a better understanding of the U.S. “Students and adults  who participate in outbound exchanges  experience personal growth,  expand their capacity to understand the world as seen through the eyes of    others,  and gain an appreciation of the interconnectedness of all humans regardless of geographical location,” said Sister Cities board member and Mbabane, Swaziland Chair, Dr. Staussa Ervin. Art teachers from Fort Worth ISD will also accompany the group to Swaziland and work with the people of Mbabane on art projects to include painting a mural in the Central  Library of Mbabane.  The Trier, Germany group are taking a City of Fort Worth flag to be hung at the Trier Rathaus (City Hall) to celebrate 25 years of partnership.

Sister Cities to Conduct Young Professionals Business Exchange

Posted on by Fort Worth Sister Cities
Applicants being recruited for Japanese Business Mentorship Program APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 1st
For Immediate Release
May 16, 2012
Fort Worth Sister Cities is now accepting applications for its Young Professionals Japanese Mentorship Program to be conducted this fall.  Applicants are being recruited from area businesses focused on:  global logistics/transportation, arts/culture, or small businesses. Fort Worth Sister Cities was notified by Sister Cities International that Fort Worth had been selected as one of seven U.S. cities to receive Leading Asia: Renewing the U.S. and Japan Sister Cities Network exchange funding.  Through this funding Fort Worth is looking to strengthen its business relationship with Nagaoka, Japan, as well as develop a Young     Professionals Mentorship Program. Young professionals (age 25—40) will work for ten days alongside their counterparts in  Nagaoka, Japan while being home hosted.  In 2013, Japanese young professionals will   participate in similar mentorships in Fort Worth.  Selected participants will gain:
  • International work experience
  • Expanded business networks
  • Japanese protocol training
  • Perspectives on global marketplaces
“We believe that businesses  in both cities will see the value of this program and sustain it for many years to come.  We would like to make this an annual exchange expanding into many areas of economic development,” said Renee Snoke, Chair of  Sister Cities’ Emerging Leaders Network. Limited partial scholarships are available and applications must be received by June 1st.  For more information, contact beth@fwsistercities.org or call 817/632-7105 or visit www.fwsistercities.org.

2012-05-15 03:30

Sister Cities to Conduct Young Professionals Business Exchange

Applicants being recruited for Japanese Business Mentorship Program APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 1st

For Immediate Release
May 16, 2012
Fort Worth Sister Cities is now accepting applications for its Young Professionals Japanese Mentorship Program to be conducted this fall.  Applicants are being recruited from area businesses focused on:  global logistics/transportation, arts/culture, or small businesses. Fort Worth Sister Cities was notified by Sister Cities International that Fort Worth had been selected as one of seven U.S. cities to receive Leading Asia: Renewing the U.S. and Japan Sister Cities Network exchange funding.  Through this funding Fort Worth is looking to strengthen its business relationship with Nagaoka, Japan, as well as develop a Young     Professionals Mentorship Program. Young professionals (age 25—40) will work for ten days alongside their counterparts in  Nagaoka, Japan while being home hosted.  In 2013, Japanese young professionals will   participate in similar mentorships in Fort Worth.  Selected participants will gain:
  • International work experience
  • Expanded business networks
  • Japanese protocol training
  • Perspectives on global marketplaces
“We believe that businesses  in both cities will see the value of this program and sustain it for many years to come.  We would like to make this an annual exchange expanding into many areas of economic development,” said Renee Snoke, Chair of  Sister Cities’ Emerging Leaders Network. Limited partial scholarships are available and applications must be received by June 1st.  For more information, contact beth@fwsistercities.org or call 817/632-7105 or visit www.fwsistercities.org.