Lexington Sister Cities Commission has won the prestigious 2024 Sister Cities International Best Overall award at the recent Sister Cities International Leadership Meetings and Annual Business Meeting.
The Best Overall Award recognizes the outstanding work done by the Lexington Sister Cities Commission in advancing people-to-people citizen diplomacy. Over the past 35 years, the Lexington Sister Cities Commission has received numerous awards from Sister Cities International. Since 1989, the organization has received the Best Overall Program award 11 times.
“I am so proud of the great work being done by the Lexington Sister Cities Commission,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “The organization is focused on advancing international cultural exchange with our four Sister Cities, promoting tourism and international trade relations, and giving residents opportunities to participate in cooperative community programs based on diversity, including student exchanges.”
Lexington has four Sister Cities, with partnerships dating back to 1957:
- Deauville, France – 1957
- County Kildare, Ireland – 1984
- Shinhidaka, Japan – 1988
- Newmarket, England - 2003
“Thank you to Sister Cities International for recognizing Lexington’s efforts to strengthen the ties with our Sister Cities,” said Lexington Sister Cities Commission Executive Director Kay Sargent. “Through the help and support of many people, we were able to plan and implement cooperative activities and exchanges related to youth, education, arts & culture, municipal programs and tourism. In addition, through our international connections, we offer citizen-to-citizen diplomacy and help to advance global understanding. It is an honor to receive this distinguished award.”
Each year, dozens of Lexington students participate in the annual youth exchange program with Lexington’s Sister Cities. In return, students from the four Sister Cities visit Lexington.
Sister Cities International was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to promote the development of a network that would be a champion for peace and prosperity by fostering bonds among people from different communities around the world.
Learn more about Lexington Sister Cities Commission at www.lexingtonsistercities.org.
Photo: (Left to Right) Ricki Garrett, President and CEO, Sister Cities International; Kay Sargent, Executive Director, Lexington Sister Cities Commission; Katherine Bertram; Peter Svarzbein, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sister Cities International.
