Main Conference: October 12th - 14th
000 days 00 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds
Cleveland has held the door open to newcomers for generations, and now 23 global sister cities have joined that journey. These relationships broaden our perspective, knowledge, and opportunities. The partnerships and connections that we build through our sister cities are doors to our world.
Join Global Cleveland as we continue toward a more global and welcoming future that makes our cities more robust and better for generations to come.
What Is A Sister City?
According to Sister City International (SCI), a sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities.
Cleveland has 23 sister cities and most of these cities have a good relationship with Cleveland and are tied with business, trade, educational or cultural projects, and exchanges.
Alexandria, Egypt
Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia
Bangalore, India
Beit She’an, Israel
Brasov, Romania
Bratislava, Slovakia
Cleveland, UK
Conakry, Guinea
Fier, Albania
Gdansk, Poland
Heidenheim, Germany
Holon, Israel
Ibadan, Nigeria
Klaipeda, Lithuania
Lima, Peru
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Miskolc, Hungary
Rouen, France
Segundo Montes,
El Salvador
Taipei City, Taiwan
Vicenza, Italy
Volgograd, Russia
West Mayo, Ireland
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, October 12th
Municipal/Civic Leadership
Conference Opening Plenary
Mr. Leroy Allala, President of Sister Cities International will open our conference with Global Cleveland’s President, Mr. Joe Cimperman. The City of Cleveland will be joined with the City of Vicenza for a proclamation ceremony in support of friendship cities.
7 a.m. -8 a.m.
Sister Cities Mayoral Panel
Join four sister city mayor’s as they discuss their cities, their relationship with Cleveland and why city-city friendships are important for city development.
8 a.m. -9 a.m.
Cities & Climate Change
Learn about cities’ roles in combating climate change and partnering for maximized results. What are different municipal efforts to combat climate change locally and how they can work with other sister cities to learn best practices for shared results.
8 a.m. -9 a.m.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Join us to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and its intersection with global sisterhood. Also, we will present the Mayor of Lima, Perú with a Proclamation of Recognition for the bicentennial anniversary of the Independence of Perú.
9 a.m. -10 a.m.
Urban Sustainablity
With the support of the Nepali/Bhutanese and Slovenian communities in Cleveland, Global Cleveland is spearheading a city wide bee keeping initiative. This panel brings together bee experts from three friendship countries to discuss the global importance of pollinators and urban agriculture.
9 a.m. -10 a.m.
Russian-US Civic Discussion: 4Cities4Peace
How 4 Sister Cities came together to celebrate U.S. – Russian friendships and collaborations. The 4Cities4Peace members will discuss how the project came together, implementing Student Building Diplomacy Workshops, and My City Through My Eyes photo project.
9 a.m. -11 a.m.
Fresh Water
Volgograd sits on a river, Bahir Dar sits on a lake, and Cleveland sits on both. Listen to three cities with important fresh water sources about how they maximize usage and protect the watershed at the same time.
10:15 a.m. -11:15 a.m.
Sister Cities Global Shapers: Activating the Power of Youth
Activating the Power of Youth: Join three Global Shaper hubs to hear from individuals who are driving dialogue, action, and change in their community, while connecting to a global network.
11 a.m. -12 p.m.
Keynote
United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Don Graves will speak about Cleveland as an international city and have a fireside chat with Global Cleveland’s President about the value of wide reaching economic ties.
12:15 p.m. -1:00 p.m.
Mobility
A conversation on how public transportation systems are tools for economic development in cities across the world.
1 p.m. -2 p.m.
Naturalization
Watch the oath swearing of Cleveland’s newest Americans in a special ceremony held at the Cleveland Public Library, presided over by Judge Dan Polster.
1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 13th
Culture & Education
Cleveland Internatioanl Piano Competition Select Performances
This is a collection of the 2021 CIPC finalists and semi-finalists from Russian and Israel, where Cleveland has sister cities. Enjoy these world class performances all day.
7 a.m. -1 p.m.
Public Art
A conversation about public art in a global context, the value of artist exchanges and the role public art plays in defining a city.
7 a.m. -8 a.m.
Global Citizen
A conversation about global citizenry and holding multiple identities at once while living within systems that seldom recognize such nuance.
8 a.m. -9 a.m.
Jesuits Worldwide
We will discuss the global educational and service work of the Jesuits. How do Jesuits’ faith motivate and inspire their work? How do they work in different cultural and religious contexts to form relationships with the people they serve?
8 a.m. -9 a.m.
International Poetry
Hear original poems from a series of global poets and a conversation about the how poetry can help us heal.
9 a.m. -10 a.m.
Hatha Yoga with Shruthi Rao
Join a Hatha yoga practice with yoga teacher Shruthi Rao from Bangalore, India.
10 a.m. -11 a.m.
Sister Libraries
Hear about how Cleveland Public Library and our sister city libraries work with their city and community and what makes them unique institutions as a way of better understanding our partners.
11 a.m. -12 p.m.
International Children's Book Reading
Children ages 5-7 are invited to listen to NYU Abu Dhabi students read their self published and illustrated book, Where is Our Home? Children will be able to speak with the authors directly.
12 p.m. -1 p.m.
Thursday, October 14th
Business & Economic Development
Port Cities
Inland port cities will discusss their unique geographic locations and what challengs and opportunities they present, all whilst balancing commerce, recereation, and tourism.
8 a.m. -9 a.m.
Coffea Mundi- Coffee Around the World
Meet coffee growers and buyers from around the world for an insight into this global goodwill ambassador as well an important economic product.
9 a.m. -10 a.m.
Tech Today and Tomorrow
Learn about companies using breaking edge technology to change the world.
10 a.m. -11 a.m.
Canada/Ohio Annual Two-Way Trade: $27.9 Billion
Ohio exports $17.3 billion to Canada and imports $10.6 billion from Canda. The Canda-Ohio two-way trade relationship is worth $27.9 billion. Join a panel discussion about the diversity of trade with Canada in Northeast Ohio. How can we use our close relationship with Canada to increase the trade back and forth between our regions?
11 a.m. -12 p.m.
Diplomatic Simulation for the Next Generation of International Leaders by Cleveland Council on World Affairs
Teams of sister cities students will take on a simulated diplomatic mission proctored by the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.
11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Nuevo Leon - Auto Manufacturing Cluster
Cluster Automotriz de Nuevo León, A.C. (CLAUT), a civil association made up of premier manufacturers in the automotive industry, educational institutions, and government related to the field will present on their innovative model for boosting competitveness and growing Nuevo Leon’s region.
12 p.m. -1 p.m.
Keynote- A celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Cleveland Clinic.
Due to partnerships with Rouen, France in WWI, the inspiration for the Cleveland Clinic was born. Join us for a presentation about the Clinic’s last 100 years and the next 100 to come. Both the cities of Cleveland, OH and Rouen, France, will present the Clinic with Proclamations of Recognition in celebration of this momentous milestone.
1 p.m. -2 p.m.
Hosted by:
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors:
