FREETOWN-NEW HAVEN SISTER CITIES PROGRAM WINS SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL’S INNOVATION AWARD (HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE)
FREETOWN-NEW HAVEN SISTER CITIES PROGRAM WINS SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL’S
INNOVATION AWARD (HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE)
WASHINGTON, DC – Freetown-New Haven Sister Cities Program won Sister Cities International’s 2015 Innovation Award (Humanitarian
Assistance) for a city with a population between 100,001 and 500,000.
The 2015 Sister Cities International Innovation Award (Humanitarian
Assistance) recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding community and
individual sister city programs that promote peace through mutual
respect, understanding, and cooperation.
New Haven, Connecticut’s unique connection to Sierra Leone goes back to
1839 with the Amistad schooner and the Africans that revolted against
Spanish captors. The captives eventually won their freedom and the right
to return home to Sierra Leone after a trial in New Haven that ended in
the U.S. Supreme Court. Today, a statue stands in front of New Haven’s
City Hall to commemorate the Amistad Incident.
Upon hearing the
news about the Ebola outbreak and the thousands of people dying from the
virus in Freetown, Sierra Leone, New Haven’s Mayor Toni N. Harp formed
an emergency committee called Citizens to Drive out Ebola whose
mission was to raise $100,000 in 12 weeks. Althea Norcott, chairperson
of the Freetown-New Haven Sister Cities Program, was chosen to head the
campaign. After launching several fundraising campaigns throughout the
community, their goal was exceeded totaling $114,000. The
project provided an amazing opportunity for New Haven to embark on this
important initiative and to show the world what it truly means to be a
“sister city” during a catastrophic time. The Freetown community will
greatly benefit from much needed medical supplies and appropriate
transport vehicles to treat and respond to people affected by Ebola. The
vehicles and supplies will support their healthcare system post
Ebola.
Sister
Cities International’s Annual Awards are awarded in several categories
including Best Overall, Innovation (Arts & Culture, Economic
Development, Humanitarian Assistance, and Youth & Education),
Volunteer of the Year, and Youth Leadership. Award winners will be honored at a special ceremony on Saturday, July 18 during Sister Cities International’s 59th Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Sister Cities International 59th
Annual Conference will bring together elected and municipal officials,
engaged citizens, diplomats, and business leaders in Minneapolis,
Minnesota to discuss, “Building Generations for Peace.” Conference
sessions will provide attendees with opportunities to learn about
strengthening their sister city programs through informative sessions
led by experts and industry leaders. For more information on the 2015
Sister Cities International Annual Conference, please visit: www.SisterCitiesConference.org.
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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 over
545 individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United
States with relationships in over 2,100 communities in 145 countries.
This sister city network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats
and volunteers who work tirelessly to promote peace and understanding
through programs and projects focusing on arts and culture, youth and
education, economic and sustainable development, and humanitarian
assistance.
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