November 4, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Sister Cities Association Looks To Year Ahead:

By Jeff Jarow

Santa Monica Sister Cities Association President

First I would like to say how excited and proud I am to be part of the Santa Monica Sister Cities Association (SMSCA), and how honored I am to have been chosen to lead the organization going forward this coming year.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Sister Cities International (SCI) mission, and reading about it for the first time, I would like to give you a brief explanation and share with you why our current members are so passionate about this concept.

Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International is the nation’s premier “citizen” diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities, promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.

Sister Cities International is a nonpartisan nonprofit, currently serving as the national membership organization for 525 cities, counties, and states across the United States that have 2,012 partnerships in more than 140 countries. This network unites tens of thousands of “citizen” diplomats and volunteers.

Sister City partnerships have fostered numerous economic development, arts and culture, youth, sports, municipal, and community development programs and exchanges over the years, in a spirit of international cooperation.

My goal this year is to “brand” SMSCA to bring more awareness to our organization, and to build membership by exploring some new Sister Cities, and offering more exchanges with various cities. I would like to involve middle school students (John Adams Middle School and Lincoln Middle School), senior high school students (Santa Monica High School), and college students (Santa Monica College), and possibly recently graduated young adults looking for internships to increase their awareness globally.

We will explore additional exchanges with emphasis on sports, technology, arts and music, when possible.

This summer we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary with Fujinomiya, Japan. We will be selecting three high school students as Student Ambassadors who will host three students from Fujinomiya in July and will then spend two weeks with their counterparts in Fujinomiya in August. As part of the anniversary celebration we will be joined by an adult delegation and a soccer team to compete in a tournament.

So we are very busy…doing a lot of positive things.

For more information, visit www.santamonicasistercity.org.

in News
<>Related Posts

Coast Guard Completes Marina del Rey Yacht Fire Fuel Cleanup

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

The Vessel No Longer Poses a Pollution Threat After Weeks of Recovery Operations Cleanup efforts have concluded in Marina del...

Legendary Music Icon Quincy Jones Dies at 91 in Bel Air

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Celebrated Musician, Producer Leaves an Indelible Legacy By Dolores Quintana Legendary musician, music producer, film and television producer, composer of...

Brentwood’s Beloved New York Bagel Co. to Close After 21 Years at Topa Town & Country Center

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Local Favorite, Designed by Renowned Architect Fred Gehry, Must Vacate by December 31 By Dolores Quintana New York Bagel Co.,...

Activist Named 24th Senate District’s “2024 Woman of the Year”

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

In Addition to Working With the Alzheimer’s Association, She Has Been Active in the Stop Asian Hate Movement Senator Ben...

Santa Monica Pier Bridge to be Replaced in $29M Project

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

The Updated Design Includes Expanded Walkways, Modern Lighting, and New Railings Santa Monica has finalized the design for a new...

H5N1 Detected in LA County Wastewater, Health Officials Urge Precautions for Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Los Angeles County Investigates Low-Level H5 Avian Flu Detected in Wastewater The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is...

Beverly Hills City Government Agrees to a Stipulated Judgment After Blocking Abortion Clinic Opening

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

City to Implement Training, Oversight on Reproductive Rights Following Legal Settlement  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a legal agreement...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

Santa Monica Seeks Public Input on Cannabis Equity Program

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

This Program Aims to Ensure That Individuals Affected by Past Criminalization Have Fair Access to Opportunities Santa Monica is calling...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn

Here’s Why West L.A. Stunk So Bad This Week

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Coastal Communities Were Blanketed by an Intense Smell Brought on by an Oceanic Phenomena Sarena Snider had just returned to...

Halloween Pre-Game Party Brings Chills and Spooky Thrills to The Rose Venice

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Enjoy Halloween With Festive Cocktails, Appetizers, and a Costume Contest The Rose Venice in Venice is set to host a...

Michael Mina’s Egyptian-Mediterranean Restaurant Opens in Santa Monica

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Inside, the 270-Seat Restaurant’s Interior Draws Inspiration From Greek and Egyptian Coastal Aesthetics Renowned chef Michael Mina has opened his...

Los Angeles Dodgers Win 2024 World Series in Thrilling Comeback Against Yankees

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Dodgers Claim the Championship Title With a Stunning Victory After Intense Game By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Dodgers are...

Trailer for Luca Guadagnino’s Queer Drops, Set for Limited Release on November 27

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Based on William S. Burroughs’ Novel, the FilmBrings a Powerful Love Story to Life Not content with releasing one amazing...