Houston will be a conglomerate of worldwide connections during the Sister Cities International’s 2019 Annual Conference July 17-19, 2019.
The conference will be hosted by the Sister Cities of Houston and the Houston Mayor’s Office in collaboration with Sister Cities International and, will bring together over 700 elected officials, business leaders, and citizen diplomats – along with over 100 students from around the globe – to explore topics ranging from resiliency to citizen diplomacy.
“Houston is a thriving, diverse, and international city. It is enriched by its connection to its 18 sister cities, and by the volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain our positive ongoing relations,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “I look forward to this conference as a platform to discuss new ways to further develop our diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties to cities around the world.”
Sister Cities International is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Its mission is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation by establishing and maintaining city-to-city relationships. It coordinates with over 2,000 partnerships in more than 140 countries.
“This year’s conference will be one of the most diverse and vibrant gatherings with citizen diplomats from all over the world coming together in Houston to share insights and discuss solutions to current global issues,” said Roger-Mark De Souza, president and CEO of Sister Cities International.
The conference’s theme, “Cities Mean Business,” will focus on the growing role of cities in international economic development. SCI’s Annual Youth Leadership Summit will operate in parallel, providing students with effective problem-solving strategies, leadership skills, and insights into international affairs. Other conference activities include an Africa Forum, a China-U.S. Sister Cities Mayors’ Summit and special sessions on Africa, China, Mexico, Japan, and Germany.
As a show of support for this landmark event, Mayor Turner will host a Mayors’ Reception for his fellow mayors, their delegations, and representatives of Houston’s international community at the George R. Brown Convention Center on July 18.
News media may apply for press passes for the conference by contacting Carolina Krauskopf, events and communications manager at Sister Cities International. at [email protected].
For more information or to register for the conference, you can visit SCI’s website.