YES Alumni Receive Sister Cities International Global Youth Leadership Award (continued)

The students were the "stars" of the conference, and received a lot of attention from the delegates. According to Shelly Whelpton, formerly of AYUSA, "Conference delegates were inspired by the stories, confidence, optimism, and vision of these YES students; the students are committed to promoting international understanding and friendship between the US and their respective home countries and they see themselves taking a leadership role in this effort."

Representing more than 2,500 communities in 134 countries, Sister Cities International (www.sister-cities.org) is a citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between the U.S. and communities abroad. Begun in 1956 after a White House summit where U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for people-to-people exchanges, Sister City partnerships are tailored to local interests and increase global cooperation at the grassroots level. Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation by focusing on sustainable development, youth and education, arts and culture, humanitarian assistance and economic growth programs. Sister Cities is a partner in the YES consortium headed by AYUSA, and organizes the Boulder Leadership Conference for YES participants.

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