Neighbors Abroad

Our latest newsletter has a little of everything: tropical escapades, a fabulous art exhibition and a brush with royalty. The lively accounts from our Sister City network prompted a longtime member to write these lovely comments to NA president Sarah Burgess: "I just read the newest Neighbors Abroad newsletter that arrived today, and wow! You and your team have been busy—so many meaningful activities with so many Sister Cities and now Friendship Cities. I am in awe of what you are accomplishing with the revitalized Neighbors Abroad." Read about our latest adventures in the spring edition of The Diplomat. #sistercities #paloalto #albi #bloomington #enschede #heidelberg #linkoping #oaxaca #palo #tsuchiura #yangpu

We are delighted to see that two of our European Sister Cities - Linköping, Sweden, and Enschede, the Netherlands - have continued to collaborate with each other in areas such as sustainability, urban planning and business innovation. Last Thursday, Neighbors Abroad VPs Edward Gerard Fike and Monica Hayde Schreiber Schreiber attended a lively event at the Nordic Innovation House - Silicon Valley that included alumni from Linköping University, Enschede's University of Twente and other Dutch colleges. The program included speed pitches from representatives of seven start-ups from the region. Many thanks to Åsa Wallin for the invitation. #paloalto #linkoping #Enschede #sistercities

Happy Friday! We have lots of good news for you as you head into the weekend. Check out our most recent edition of The Dispatch, the Neighbors Abroad newsletter that's full of fascinating tidbits from our nine Sister and Sibling Cities from around the world. https://lnkd.in/gmE5nVC6 #Sistercities #paloalto #internationalfriendship #goodnews #inspiringstories

Neighbors Abroad is currently seeking community members to serve on several of our committees which support Palo Alto’s Sister City network. (Participants need not reside in Palo Alto.) Our Citizen Diplomats build meaningful relationships with fascinating people from around the world. Committees engage in activities focusing on humanitarian outreach, student exchange, commerce and sustainability. Enjoy culturally enriching travel opportunities to diverse cities in Mexico, Europe and Asia. Volunteering with Neighbors Abroad is fulfilling and FUN! For more information, contact vice president Ed Fike at egfike@gmail.com #paloalto #sistercities #internationalfriends #volunteering #volunteeropportunities

Many thanks to talented vlogger (and our newest member!), Dora Tao, for capturing some of the highlights from our 60th Anniversary Celebration on October 27th. Enjoy the attached video featuring a lovely vocal performance from Masako DuBois. #sistercities #sistercity #PALOALTO #internationalfriends

We wrapped up a productive and enjoyable visit with the visiting delegation from our Sister City of Albi, France, over the weekend. City of Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou was on hand to honor our French guests at a festive reception on Friday evening at the home of Neighbors Abroad president Sarah Burgess. We look forward to future engagements with Team Albi, including an event to honor the 30th anniversary of the cities’ pairing in 2024.

Wonderful news from our Swedish Sister City: The European Innovation Council has selected Linköping as one of six semi-finalists for an annual iCapital Award, which recognizes the role cities play in promoting game-changing innovation. Linköping vies for the prize in the European Rising Innovative City category. The winner, which will be announced in Marseille, France, in late November, will be awarded €500 000. Two runner-up cities will receive €50 000 each. During the Neighbors Abroad visit to Linköping last year, city officials shared the many ways they back up their "Future Now" motto with cutting-edge projects in science, technology and sustainability. We wish Linköping the best of luck in this prestigious competition!

We are thrilled to announce that our Neighbors Abroad board member Jeannet-Susann Kiessling has been selected as Volunteer of the Year by Sister Cities International. The committee selected Jeannet based on her exceptional leadership in several recent Neighbors Abroad initiatives, most notably our Ukrainian Emergency Children's Relief Fund which has raised more than $125,000 (and counting) for Ukrainian orphans and other vulnerable children. Jeannet also conceptualized a cross-border student essay contest inspired by the heroic deeds of Leendert Overduin, a pastor from Palo Alto's Dutch city of Enschede who saved hundreds of Jewish lives during World War II, and spearheaded last August's International Festival at Palo Alto City Hall. These remarkable efforts have shined a spotlight on Neighbors Abroad’s work on behalf of the City of Palo Alto, and the role of Sister Cities in providing citizen-to-citizen assistance across borders. Please join us in congratulating Jeannet on this richly deserved honor! #paloaltoca #sistercities #volunteer #volunteersmakeadifference #communityimpact #CommunityAwards

Attention Palo Alto artists (and those who know one)! Neighbors Abroad is currently seeking applicants for an amazing opportunity to serve as an Artist-in-Residence in Linköping, Palo Alto's Swedish Sister City. The selected artist will receive airfare, an apartment, a monetary stipend and the chance to exhibit their art in gorgeous Linköping, which is located two hours southeast of Stockholm. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The residency will begin during spring 2024. Applications must be received by September 15, 2023. See below for full details about the program.