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Ambassador D. Bruce Wharton Presents Inaugural Citizen Diplomacy Award to Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, Inc.

WASHINGTON, DC (January 9, 2017) – Ambassador D. Bruce Wharton, Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,  will present the Bureau of Public Affair’s first annual Citizen Diplomacy Award at a ceremony to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2017, at the U.S. Department of State. The Citizen Diplomacy Award was created in recognition of American citizens and organizations engaged in international work that furthers U.S. foreign policy objectives and strengthens important relationships around the globe.

Sister Cities International congratulates one of its members, Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, Inc. (GFLSCI), on receiving the inaugural Citizen Diplomacy Award. For over 55 years GFLSCI has encouraged its local community to engage globally with 18 sister cities in 16 countries on six continents. The organization has several specialized committees working on issues such as the environment, business and trade, and humanitarian assistance. GFLSCI serves as an effective ambassador for U.S. values on a global stage and as a bridge to U.S. innovation, investment, support, and resources for its sister cities.

The award presentation will be open to the press.

For the ceremony, pre-set time for cameras is 5:15 p.m. from the 21st Street entrance. 

Media representatives may attend these events upon presentation of one of the following: (1) A U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver’s license, passport). 

For more information, please contact Irina Karmanova at [email protected].

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About Sister Cities International

Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International serves as the national membership organization for 570 member communities with relationships in 2,300 communities in 150 countries on six continents. This sister city network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers who work tirelessly to promote the organizations’ mission of creating world peace and understanding through economic and sustainable development programs, youth and education projects, arts and culture, and humanitarian assistance.

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