Fort Worth Sister Cities International has launched a long-range plan to select two new sister cities in countries where they can build mutually beneficial relationships through education, exchanges and commerce. Countries currently being considered are Canada and France.
“Our goal is to promote Fort Worth globally and enrich our local community creating a more peaceful and prosperous world for all. We find that important now more than ever,” said Johnny Campbell, board chairman and CEO of Sundance Square.
Sister Cities is exploring potential partnerships with the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada and Nimes, France. Calgary currently boasts a population of 1.4 million and is one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse cities. Nimes is smaller with a population of 142, 205 but has a rich history dating back 2000 years.
Sister Cities will be staging a luncheon and conversation with the French Consul General based in Houston, as well as local experts on international partnerships, to discuss the possible relationship with Nimes, France. The luncheon will be held February 23 noon in the TCU Dee Kelly Alumni & Visitors Center and ticket information is available by calling 817/632-7100 or online at https://www.fwsistercities.org/event/new-sister-city-discussion/.
Anyone interested in learning more about this possible connection with France or Fort Worth Sister Cities is invited to join the conversation. Tickets are available for purchase until February 17.
Fort Worth City Manager, David Cooke, and Fort Worth Sister Cities International Chair, Johnny Campbell of Sundance Square, recently returned from an economic, cultural, and diplomatic mission to Trier, Germany, along with a delegation of eighteen.
“Fort Worth is committed to growing educational, business, and cultural connections with our partners around the world and we know this is needed now more than ever. We must nurture these relationships to grow them,” said Campbell.
Trier was signed as Fort Worth’s second sister city in 1987. This partnership has resulted in many programs including: high school and university exchanges; partnerships with artists participating in Main Street Arts Festival; exchanges with the Fort Worth Fire Dept.; internships in the Sister Cities’ office, as well as local law firms; cultural exchanges; and hunting expeditions into the mountains of Germany and across the plains of Texas.
Twenty-six delegates will depart Fort Worth February 19 on an eight-day educational mission to Cuba to learn more about the country and to promote Fort Worth. The delegation will consist of representatives from the business, education, arts, and tourism sectors.
While in Havana the delegation will meet with Ambassador Carlos Alzugaray Treto on U.S./Cuba Relations. Ambassador Alzugaray visited Fort Worth in 2016 to further educate the community on current issues facing Cuba and the US. Ambassador Alzugaray is the former Cuban Ambassador to the European Union and former Director of the Institute of Foreign Relations in Havana.
“Fort Worth is looking for new opportunities to connect around the world, which is needed now more than ever before,” said Johnny Campbell, Board Chair. “With diplomatic relations established between the U.S. and Cuba and travel restrictions being lifted, a relationship with Cuba could be of benefit to Fort Worth residents.”
Fort Worth City Manager David Cooke and Fort Worth Sister Cities International Chair Johnny Campbell of Sundance Square will lead a delegation of eighteen Fort Worth Ambassadors to Trier, Germany November 30 – December 8 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the partnership as sister cities. The mission’s purpose is to build economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between Fort Worth and Germany.
“Fort Worth is eager to recommit to this important relationship with Germany and looks forward to many more beneficial exchanges between our two cities. Our commitment to growing our educational, business, and cultural connections must remain a long-term priority for sustainability of our relationship with Trier,” said Johnny Campbell.
While there the delegation will visit local sites of interest including the famed Christkindl markets, as well as a local refugee clinic. The exchange will also include visits to Heidelberg, Cologne, and the neighboring country of Luxembourg.
Trier was signed as Fort Worth’s second sister city. Signed in 1987, this partnership has resulted in many programs including: high school and university exchanges; partnerships with artists to participate in the Main Street Arts Festival; municipal exchanges with the Fort Worth Fire Department; internships in the Fort Worth Sister Cities’ office, as well as local law firms; cultural exchanges featuring regional cuisine and customs; and hunting expeditions into the mountains of Germany and across the plains of Texas.
Nearly 100 Fort Worth students recently completed a vigorous selection process and have been selected to represent the City of Fort Worth as Ambassadors to several of Fort Worth’s international partners.
This year’s Ambassadors represent the Fort Worth ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Everman ISD, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, Keller ISD, and several private schools. Scholarship assistance of over $100,000 is awarded annually ensuring a diverse group of students and teachers who will represent Fort Worth.
The Fort Worth community is invited to a presentation sponsored by Fort Worth Sister Cities International and Tarrant County College on Indonesia Today, November 10, 6:00 p.m. at Tarrant County College, Trinity River East Campus. The event is open to the public.
Twelve delegation leaders from area schools and organizations were recently selected to lead youth exchanges to six of Fort Worth’s sister cities next year. Nearly 125 local students will be interviewed for approximately 80 available slots to travel as Youth Ambassadors.
If you saw crazy costumes over the weekend in downtown Fort Worth, they were teams in the 3rd Annual Amazingly Global Race chaired by Carolann Morris, Inwood Bank, benefitting Fort Worth Sister Cities International.
“It’s so good to see how creative people can be in order to support our international efforts. Forming international relationships, fostering new business connections, and promoting tourism and cultural understanding are vital to seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges in this global era,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.
“The Race is held annually to fund the international youth education programs of Sister Cities that give students leadership and communications skills preparing them for a global society,” said Mae Ferguson, President/CEO of Fort Worth Sister Cities International.