Atlanta - Rio de Janeiro Sister City Committee
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MISSION STATEMENT

The Sister Cities Program was launched in 1956 by President Eisenhower to further international understanding and friendship at all levels of the community on a continuing long term basis. Since its inception four decades ago, the Sister Cities Program has grown into the world’s largest international organization. In theme with Sister Cities International’s slogan, " Peace Through People", the City of Atlanta currently has forged sister city relationships with sixteen cities.

The spirit of the Sister Cities Program is expressed in the purpose of the Atlanta - Rio de Janeiro Sister City Committee: to facilitate increased contact and exchanges between the cities of Atlanta, Georgia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This aim is based on a belief that greater interaction between the two cities will build on feelings of mutual goodwill.

HISTORY

In 1972, Mayor Sam Massell began promoting Atlanta’s push towards international city status by initiating the city’s participation in the Sister City Program. A Board of Alderman’s resolution extended an invitation to the City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to become a sister city to Atlanta. Mayor Massell stated that Rio de Janeiro was selected because of a specific request from then Governor Jimmy Carter following a tour of South America. Carter’s effort evolved from an agreement with Erasmo Martins Pedro, Vice Governor of the former state of Guanabara in which Rio de Janeiro was located, that the two cities were very much alike in their international recognition and beauty.

Mrs. Sharan Flexner, the first Chairperson (1979 - 1996), has played the leading role in organizing this growing partnership. Her own link to Brazil began in 1976 w hen she visited the country with a group led by former President Carter. Mrs. Flexner fell in love with the land and people and on her return to the U.S., she became involved with Atlanta’s Brazilian community. In 1977, Mayor Maynard Jackson renewed the effort to develop a relationship between Atlanta and Rio by asking Sharan to chair the new Atlanta - Rio de Janeiro Sister Cities Committee being formed. Sharan readily accepted and worked tirelessly to build the committee into one of the most active sister city groups making up the Atlanta Sister City Commission.

However, due to lack of support and the closing of the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta, the committee fell dormant for twelve years. Mayor Maynard Jackson revived the committee in 1992 and again tapped Mrs. Flexner to serve as Chairperson. In 1993, Mrs. Flexner started a new and improved committee that in a short time achieved a solid record of accomplishment.

A dedicated core group and effective networking with other organizations interested in Rio de Janeiro or Brazil established the strong foundation. For the Olympics, co-hosted with the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Rio Mayor Cesar Maia’s visit to promote the Brazil 2004 Olympic Movement.

Chronology of Atlanta - Rio de Janeiro

Sister City Comittee

Events & Projects

Oct., 1992: Mayor Jackson revives Atlanta – Rio de Janeiro Sister City Committee.

Feb., 1993: Mr. Jim Ruska leads Trade Mission with telecommunications and high technology focus to Rio de Janeiro and meets with Ambassador Claudio Garcia de Souza and other Rio City Hall officials They pledge cooperation and development in the areas of trade, culture, sports and education.

June 24-25, 1993: Group sponsorship of information booth with Atlanta Sister City Commission in Festival of Cultures at Stone Mountain Park.

Aug. 5-29, 1993: Successfully exhibits Brazilian artist Romanelliquote s work at El Centro Cafe in Phipps Plaza with support from H. Stern Jewelers and Varig Airlines. Exhibit organized by Taylor and Libby Boone.

Nov. 20-24, 1993: Ms. Barbara Turner, Vice President of Tourism, Atlanta Convention k Visitors Bureau, visits Rio and organizes local sister cities group. includes representatives from the Rio Chamber of Commerce, Sheraton Hotels, Coca-Cola, ABAV Trade Show Organization, and the Flamingo Sports Confederation.

Nov. 24 - Dec. 3, 1994: Sponsorship of Atlanta multicultural mission to Brazil. Travel group, which includes Dr. Ann Dandridge, ASCC Vice Chair, and Mr. Vin Martin, Atlanta – Montego Bay Sister City Committee Director and organized by Mrs. Myrna Cohen and Mrs. Gail Ripans meet with Mayor of Rio and other City Hall officials to strengthen bond.

	Aug., 1994: The committee jointly sponsors Atlanta – Rio trade link with North Atlanta High School’s Center for International Studies magnet’s International Business Program. The Atlanta Caribbean Trading Co. (ACTCo.), a student run enterprise specializing in the
importation of arts, crafts and fashion jewelry from the Caribbean, forms supplier – distributor relationship with H. Stern Jewelers Casa do Folklorico division.

Oct., 1994: Atlanta – Rio Sister City Committee begins organizing effort on behalf of City of Rio de Janeiro program to repair and reform its archival materials and systems to preserve important documents, books and precious art items..

Nov. 17-22, 1994: Varig provides Dr. Arnold Heller, Education Director, with free ticket to fly to Rio to develop joint projects with the American School. The mission agenda included declaration of sister school relationship, expansion of the e-mail linkup, and formation of cooperative global business education programs, annual student exchanges, and joint student run businesses. Dr. Heller purchased $350 worth of arts, crafts and fashion jewelry from H. Stern’s Casa do Folklorico Showroom in Copacabana for ACTCo. students to showcase in retail sales catalog. Jewelry lines featured in photo-essay lesson; " Student Run Enterprise Doing Business With Latin America.", Houghton - Mifflin Economics text (elementary level, Boston, Mass., 1996)

Jan., 1995: Committee participates in initial Olympic Brick Program for Atlanta - Sister City Commission by purchasing a brick with the committee’s name on it.

March 30-April 9, 1995: Two North Atlanta High students visit American School as part of educational exchange with theme; " Getting to Know You."

April 12-23, 1995: Two American School students visit North Atlanta and stay with students who visited their school. Brazilian girls meet former President Jimmy Carter in Plains.

Feb.12, 1996: Co-hosted with Atlanta Chamber of Commerce & Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games reception for Rio de Janeiro 2004 Olympic Movement led by Rio Mayor Cesar Maia.

Feb.22, 1996: co-hosts with Atlanta - Montego Bay and Atlanta - Port O’ Spain, Trinidad Sister City Committees, " Caribbean Night" Sister Cities Party at Baja Beach Club.

March 30-April 10, 1996: Committee sponsors exchange between North Atlanta High and the American School by awarding a $500 scholarship to be divided among two of six students visiting their Brazilian sister school. While in Rio, ACTCo. student reps purchase $470 worth of arts, crafts and fashion jewelry from local artisans at the " Hippie Marketplace" and from wholesale merchants also.

April 11-21, 1996: Two American School students visit North Atlanta High. Committee members serve as chaperons to escort Brazilian students to loca1 Atlanta landmarks.

Spring, 1997: American School of Rio de Janeiro offers new Economics class partially adapted from North Atlanta High’s model Economics & Int. Trade course.

July 29, 1997: Dr. Heller and the Atlanta – Rio de Janeiro Sister City Committee is awarded the Sister City International Youth Leadership Award for student exchanges, joint projects, and joint business education programs with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Newcastle, England.

July 16, 1998: The Atlanta-Rio Sister City Committee co-sponsored Artists-in-Residence reception for the Angola Capoeira Dance Master’s at the World Trade Center. This event was the first co-sponsorship of a joint project involving the Brazilian Consulate, Brazil-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Atlanta-Rio Sister City Committee. The Angola Capoeira Dance Masters performed during the National Black Arts Festival.

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