Discover Local Connections with Global Impact at the 2012 Citizen Diplomacy Summit

Feb. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Cary, NC – In an era of increasing globalization, more and more people develop their most lasting impressions through face-to-face, personal encounters, when people visit the United States or when Americans travel abroad. In this context, the “citizen diplomat” is a powerful force in defining the United States to the rest of the world.

Citizen diplomats can be students, teachers, athletes, artists, business people, humanitarians, adventurers or tourists. They are motivated by a responsibility to engage with the rest of the world in a meaningful, mutually beneficial dialogue.

Numerous polls and studies document that anti-American sentiment around the globe is dangerously high and has grown to unprecedented levels. The U.S. is falling behind in the race for engagement with the world, international competitiveness, and global education excellence. We need to dramatically increase our capacity to reach out to the rest of the world to foster common interests and values.

In an effort to engage and inform citizens of Cary and the Triangle about the significance of citizen diplomacy, the Sister Cities Association of Cary is hosting its fourth Citizen Diplomacy Summit on Thursday, March 15 at 5:00 PM at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Avenue, in downtown Cary.

The theme of this year’s summit is “What A Difference One Person Can Make!” This event is open to anyone who is interested in learning how they can help shape U.S. foreign relations on a grassroots level, “one handshake at a time.” While there is no charge to attend, seating is limited so registration is requested at http://www.sistercitiesofcary.org.

Following opening remarks by Cary Mayor, Harold Weinbrecht, a distinguished panel of speakers – representing business, educational and humanitarian organizations – will discuss how international relationships at the grassroots level impact U.S. foreign relations, ways these local organizations may better serve international visitors and the community as a whole, and how to improve communication among these diverse groups. The discussion will be moderated by Frank Stasio, longtime NPR correspondent and host of WUNC’s The State of Things.

A special appearance will be made by Sacrificial Poets, Will McInerney and Kane Smego, nationally recognized spoken word poets and youth educators. They will be presenting “Poetic Portraits of a Revolution,” sharing their Egyptian and Tunisian “Arab Spring” experiences. Summit participants will get a glimpse into lives of the Egyptian and Tunisian people during this time of transition, and learn more about their journey towards self-determination. The poets will share the knowledge they gained in hopes of transforming our own communities.

Participants are invited to browse expo booths and displays, and socialize with panelists and fellow guests at a reception following the summit. Refreshments will be served.

The summit is co-sponsored by the Sister Cities Association of Cary and the Town of Cary, with funding support from the Cary Chamber of Commerce and the International Affairs Council.

“Our goal for the summit is to help citizens of Cary and the Triangle understand the importance of being globally engaged,” said Jennifer Jones, President of the Sister Cities Association of Cary. “We are undoubtedly affected by events on the other side of the world, just as people elsewhere are impacted by what happens here. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent, our local citizens need to see how they fit in.”  

About Sister Cities Association of Cary: From its founding in 1988, the Sister Cities Association of Cary strives to further global understanding and to encourage and assist sister city relationships between citizens in U.S. communities and cities throughout the world. The Association focuses on the following aspects in building its sister city relationships: cultural exchange; governance; economic development; educational exchange; and athletic exchange. Membership is open to any individual or business interested in promoting and fostering the sister city relationships. For more information, visit http://www.sistercitiesofcary.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kris Carmichael, Page-Walker Arts & History Center Supervisor, (919) 460-4971
Kathy Lynch, Sister Cities Association of Cary, (919) 851-6187

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From its founding in 1988, the Sister Cities Association of Cary strives to further global understanding and to encourage and assist sister city relationships between citizens in U.S. communities and cities throughout the world. The Association focuses on the following aspects in building its sister city relationships: cultural exchange; governance; economic development; educational exchange; and athletic exchange. Membership is open to any individual or business interested in promoting and fostering the sister city relationships. For more information, visit http://www.sistercitiesofcary.org.