Chicago International Sister Cities Program

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Chicago Sister Cities International Program

History of U.S. Sister Cities International Program

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower launched the 'People-to-People Initiative'. He believed that diplomacy on a person-to-person level was an important resource for successful negotiations between governments. Recognizing the importance of involving all citizens in world diplomacy, he called upon the nation's cities as the centers of opportunity, expression and economic growth, to unite with communities around the world in building a solid structure of world peace. At the core of all sister cities relationships is an agreement, signed by the Mayors of each city, reflecting their mutual commitment to building bridges between governments, businesses and individuals. Today, through formal Sister Cities affiliations, 2,400 Sister Cities relationships are bringing citizens together to cooperate and share ideas, activities and solutions on a range of topics, including the environment, education, culture, medicine, and technology.

History of Chicago Sister Cities

In 1960, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley signed the first Sister Cities' agreement with Warsaw, Poland. In the '70s and '80s, Chicago signed with seven additional Sister Cities. And in 1990, Mayor Richard M. Daley enacted an executive order to establish a volunteer Board of Directors, kicking off more than a decade of increased community participation and a rapid growth in Sister Cities' relationships. Since then, Chicago has established official relationships with a total of 26 cities in almost every region of the world.

The past decade has seen a re-focus on economic development and a dramatic increase in activity beginning with the Annual Sister Cities International Conference held in Chicago in 1991. With the support of Mayor Richard M. Daley and Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Lois Weisberg, the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, a 501(c)(3) not for profit, public private partnership, has become the most active sister cities organization in the world. Operating under the guidelines established by Sister Cities International, located in
Alexandria, Virginia, the program has greatly impacted Chicagos international activity and its status as an international city.

Athens Committee Activities

Athens is one of twenty-five Chicago Sister Cities all around the world. The Athens Committee is composed of volunteer members, appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley. These members work in conjunction with City of Chicago staff at the Chicago Sister Cities International Program to develop and manage exchange programs in the areas of economic development, culture, education, medicine, technology, environment and social service opportunities with Chicago’s international sister cities for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and its businesses. Mayor Daley has appointed Mr. Demetrios L. Kozonis to be the Chairman of the Athens Committee.

Since 1997, the Athens Committee has participated in a number of successful cultural events. The Committee hosted and entertained the Mayor of Athens and his delegation during the September 1997 visit to Chicago for the signing of the Sister Cities agreement. Sponsored the telecommunications system that was established between Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital and Aghia Sophia Hospital in Athens. Both Mayors Daley and Avramopoulos attended the inauguration of the system. Participated in the “World in a Weekend” at the Chicago Cultural Center, twice. As part of the CTA “Adopt-a-Station” program, the Athens Committee sponsored the “Ithaca” mural by an artist from Athens. The mural was installed at the Halsted Street Station. Sponsored a Greek elite runner to run in the 1999 Chicago Marathon and sponsored the production of “Race of Pride,” a documentary about the history of the Marathon. Organized a benefit to raise money for the Athens earthquake victims. Sponsored the “Threads of Life” cultural event that included an exhibit of Greek embroidered and woven textiles and a presentation by a representative of the National Museum of Athens. Supported an Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society music tour that included a concert in Chicago by a Greek islands musicians group. Sponsored the showing of two Greek films in the European Film Festival at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. Sponsored a reception at the Chicago Cultural Center for the Mayor of Athens during his April 2002 visit. Sponsored a dinner reception for the Hellenic Amateur Baseball Federation players and staff during their visit and training in the USA. Sponsored the “Art of Gold – Past and Present” Exhibit, the weekend of February 14-16, 2003, at the Chicago Cultural Center. The exhibit displayed exact museum copies of classical Greek and Byzantine gold jewelry and contemporary creations. Sponsored the Chicago Greek youth soccer team, “Athens F.C.” Co-sponsored the 6th annual Culinary and Hospitality Showcase dinner on May 5, 2004. Supported the Chicago Hellenic Bone Marrow Blood Testing Drive, 2004. Sponsored the 2004 European and Greek Film Festivals at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. Sponsored the “Plant Your Roots in Greece Foundation.” Sponsored a panel discussion on “Hellenism and Christianity” at the Chicago Cultural Center on May 16, 2004. Co-sponsored the “Ekecheiria” art exhibit on June 4 through July 9, 2004, at the Schopf Gallery on Lake. Sponsored art exhibits “Reflections of Hellenic Art” by artist Ninon Marinos and “Olympic Heroes and Gods” by artist Erika Spyropoulos, at the Chicago Cultural Center, on June 22–25, 2004.

Athens Sister City Shuffle 2008 will be a 5k run supporting The Runners sculpture project. The Runners, a $750,000 piece of world class art, will be a donation from the Chicago-Athens Sister City Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program (CSCIP) to the City of Chicago Public Art Collection for permanent installation at O'Hare International Airport. A smaller replica of the piece will be installed this summer at the arrivals area at T5.