Thomas
Wong, Francis Slay (left), Mayor of St. Louis and Buzz
Westfall, County Executive
ST. LOUIS HOSTED SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
More Than 1,000 Delegates From China, Europe, Africa, Mexico, Russia, Japan and Taiwan Arrived on July 23
(St. Louis, Missouri) Economic advisors, politicians, artists, dancers, musicians, educators and officials from 137 nations met in downtown St. Louis to promote "Better Cities" at the 2003 Sister Cities International Conference July 23 - July 26, 2003.
The gala events including a vibrant Parade of Nations downtown, a colorful Welcome Reception at Missouri Botanical Garden and the International Consular Ball in addition to seminars and workshops conducted by community leaders and advisors from around the world. The conference is hosted by The St. Louis Center for International Relations and The St. Louis 2003 Host Committee.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis County Executive George "Buzz" Westfall, and executives from Anheuser-Busch Cos, American Airlines, The St. Louis Rams, Zoltek, K&S Contractors, ACI Plastics, Inc. and The Missouri Association of Realtors among many others participated in a full range of activities and special sessions. The event was held at The Millennium Hotel on Fourth Street.
"This is the first time in 25 years that the Sister Cities International Convention is being hosted in St. Louis," said Guillermo Rodriquez, who is Director, International Projects, Office of Study Abroad, at Webster University. "We are very excited and proud that so many influential officials from different cities around the globe join the conference for productive socio-economic exchange and shared insights."
Former U.S. Senator George Mitchell of Maine, who negotiated the United Kingdom-Northern Ireland Peace Accord while Special Ambassador from the U.S.,
delivered the keynote speech at the International Consular Dinner on Saturday, July 26.
Center for International Relations is a non-profit corporation administered jointly by St. Louis City and St. Louis County governments. As the development arm of St.
Louis' thirteen sister city relationships and their associated St. Louis volunteer committees, the Center promotes the region’s international presence through in-bound tourism and business development via international exchanges in commerce, education, technology, culture, and the arts. In cooperation with Sister Cities International, St. Louis Center for International Relations has access to 2100 communities around the world.
Sister Cities International (SCI) is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding, and to stimulate economic development. SCI leads the movement for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials, and business leaders to conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit.
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