Sister Cities International as Citizen Diplomacy Movement

Описание мероприятия

Sister Cities International (SCI) is a citizen diplomacy network that has helped to improve diplomatic relationships at watershed moments over the past 60 years. Natalie will share her own experience of versatility and success of the Sister Cities program as a member of the Board of Directors of the Portland–Khabarovsk Sister City Association, a liaison at the Beaverton (OR)– Birobidzhan(Russia) Sister Cities Advisory Board, a North West  Russian-American Community Center Board member, and a member of the World Affairs Council of Oregon, who has hosted multiple visitors invited by the World Affairs Council of Oregon in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International  Development.

In her presentation, Natalie will talk about International Visitors Programs and how, by engaging thousands of citizen diplomats and people from volunteer communities, they help to build mutual understanding across countries and cultures. Natalie will also speak about the role that citizen diplomacy plays in maintaining historical ties between nations and in addressing humanitarian needs around the world.

Led by Natalie Verdyan, Ph.D., AMC Volunteer.