Sister Cities International Turns 70!!
- Scottsdale Sister Cities
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
A delegation of three Scottsdale citizens, led by Dr. Freda Hartman, Vice President of Scottsdale Sister Cities, attended the 70th Anniversary Celebration of Sister Cities International. Joining Freda were Annette and Max Rumbaugh.
Over 275 US and international delegates gathered in Washington, D.C., on July 22-25, 2026, to celebrate seventy years of sister city activity success, but also celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the birth of our nation.
Attendees received briefings from US State Department officials on the diplomatic situations in Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa. This was followed by discussions on the international sister city programs and their growth through the years. There are now more than 400 Sister Cities throughout the world, and membership continues to grow.
Panel sessions featured Sports Diplomacy topics and the presenters were key leaders from the State Department working in Sports Diplomacy. Other panels featured discussions with Mayors and Ambassadors. Attendees were invited to the Japanese Ambassador's home, where they enjoyed regional foods and Japanese cultural dancers. An evening at the Organization of American States building provided the opportunity to celebrate at the annual Gala and Silent Auction.
The theme of the celebration was "homecoming," but it also recognized the huge role citizens have in establishing and maintaining US efforts to develop friendly and diplomatic relations with people in other countries. The establishment of people-to-people friendships allows individuals to experience the cultures, life styles, and warmth of people on both sides of the relationships. Citizens participating in sister city activities make friends and connect with other citizens around the world, unlike the more formal diplomat-to-diplomat relations established by the State Department.
Many Sister Cities Associations were represented at the Conference and shared ideas about student exchanges, cultural programs, community impact and economic development projects that meaningfully impacted their communities. Student exchanges between cities prepare young people for an increasingly interconnected world. Sports diplomacy connects communities through the universal language of sports. Athletes and coaches form lasting international relationships and friendships. Cities with retired professional athletes as citizens find that well-known American sports figures are especially welcomed by international cities and help build a greater understanding of Americans.
In these times of droughts, fires, floods, and violence, exchanges by first responders efficiently and quickly allow for the sharing of best practices to successfully deal with these challenges. They also build goodwill. These examples illustrate the rich discussions at the Conference.
The new theme for the very popular Young Authors and Artists Showcase was shared. This spring, young people between the ages of 12 and 18 will be invited to submit art, essays, poems, photographs, and musical compositions representing their interpretations of “A Tapestry of Cultures and the Threads that Connect Us.”
Assistant Secretary of State, Cate Dillon summarized the essence of the gathering in Washington, D.C., with her comment: “There will never be enough government official diplomats. Citizen diplomats are essential for America’s building a friendly, peaceful relationship with other countries.”
Pictured below:
Photo 1: Annette with USA 250 musicians
Photo 2: Annette and Max Rumbaugh with Japanese Ambassador, Shigeo Yamada
Photo 3: Freda, Japanese Employee, and Annette at Japanese Ambassador's Residence
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