Phoenix Sister Cities Named Best Overall Program in the U.S.

(Phoenix, Ariz.)  —  Phoenix Sister Cities, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and enhancing global connections, has received the 2014 Best Overall Program in the United States for a city with a population over 500,001 from Sister Cities International.  This is the ninth time in Phoenix Sister Cities’ history that they have been honored with this award.

The award recognizes sister city programs that demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in advancing the goals and mission of the sister cities movement. Criteria for the award is based on the overall program, including level of activity of all sister city affiliations, for its diversity, content and scope of exchanges, programs and activities; use of its volunteer base; budget and funding sources; and the program’s impact on the community.

“Phoenix Sister Cities opens a world of opportunities for our residents by showcasing our community internationally,” said Mayor Greg Stanton.  “The City of Phoenix is proud to have a globally recognized program that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of our residents and visitors with programs that span business, education, arts and culture.”

“In addition to numerous other awards from Sister Cities International over the years, it’s exceptional to note that this is the ninth time in the last 20 years that Phoenix Sister Cities has received the “Best Overall Program” award,” said Ralph Marchetta, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Phoenix Sister Cities.  “The staff and dedicated volunteers who work year-round to plan and execute the high quality events and programs Phoenix Sister Cities is known for are to be commended.”

Through more than 50 events, exchanges, and activities during the year, Phoenix Sister Cities is being recognized for sustaining and increasing participation in youth and education programs, creating economic development initiatives, strengthening municipal cooperation for the mutual benefit of Phoenix and its sister cities, playing an active role in the development of arts and culture events and activities, and sustaining PSC’s inclusion of people with disabilities in programs and exchanges.

“It is an honor for us to recognize Phoenix Sister Cities as “Best Overall Program,” for this year’s conference,” said Mary Kane, Sister Cities International President/CEO. “The impact they are making in educational, economic and cultural exchange is a model for international cooperation world-wide. Phoenix Sister Cities continues to raise the bar for themselves and for sister city organizations across the world.”

“We are thrilled to be honored with this award for our efforts to continually improve our organization and increase the reach of our events and programs,” said Paula West, president and CEO, Phoenix Sister Cities, Inc.  

The award will be presented at the Sister Cities International Annual Conference awards banquet, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota this year, on Saturday, July 18.