03-12-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Corporate Services /Tourism January 10, 1997 February , 1997 Sister Cities Commitee Annual Review To provide information about Sister Cities activities during the past year and make recommendations about twinning relationships and funding for Sister Cities activities. BACKGROUND When the formation of a Sister Cities Commitee was approved by City Council in June, 1994 (Report No. 120/94), it was agreed that the Committee would provide an annual report of activities along with protocol agreements outlining proposed exchanges for the coming year. The Committee was also given responsibility for evaluating requests to establish additional twinning relationships and making recommendations to City Council. Thunder Bay is now officially twinned with seven communities. COMMENTS A. Exchange Activities As outlined in Report No. 120/94, decisions to establish and maintain official Sister Cities relationships are to be based upon the level of demonstrated public interest and potential benefit to the citizens of Thunder Bay. In order for a community to be accepted or continue as an official sister city, there must be an active local sub - committee comprised of at least six citizens who are willing to accept responsibility for the twinning relationship, as well as an identified political contact and a community liaison in the sister city. The annual protocol agreement must include a minimum of two exchanges. Bunkpurugu: A student from Ghana who has completed his studies at Lakehead University and returned to Bunkpurugu has agreed to act as a contact in that community. Little Canada: Regular communication has been maintained with the Little Canada Canadian Days Committee. The Mayor of Little Canada and his wife paid their official visit to Thunder Bay from July 26th to 28th and participated in the opening and closing ceremones and several other events at International Friendship Days. Page 27