July 13, 2017: Sister Cities of Newport News welcomed three Chinese officials from ZiYang City in the Sichuan Province of China for a one-day visit to Newport News. The schedule included a meeting with Sister Cities leadership to discuss educational exchange opportunities for youth and site visits to Tech Center, the Newport News 911 Operations Room, and the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute.

Mr. ZHOU Xian, Party Head of Ziyang CPC Committee, Mr. WANG Wanjun, Director of Ziyang Development Zone, and Mr. QING Minghua, Director of Ziyang Foreign Affairs & Overseas Chinese Office also met with members of the SCNN Board, City Manager Cindy Rohlf, CNU Provost Dr. David Doughty and received a community wide economic overview from representatives of Newport News EDA/IDA and Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance.

The Sichuan Province, located in West China, has 21 cities (prefectures) and 183 counties (districts). ZiYang is a city of 3.5 million within that Province and has been in a “Friendship City” relationship with Newport News since 2005. Newport News is ZiYang’s only such international partner. Sister Cities of Newport News is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to build and strengthen international cooperation, understanding and development between the citizens of the City of Newport News and those of the world.

Sister Cities is pleased to announce General Denis MERCIER, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO ACT as the guest speaker at the 10th Annual International Breakfast on July 21st in CNU's David Student Union Ballroom. For over 35 years, Sister Cities has served as the “International Arm” of the City of Newport News and has engaged our community in numerous exchanges. Sister Cities actively exchanges governmental officials, business leaders, citizen delegations and students from our partner cities in Japan, China, German and France. This plated breakfast event generates support for our cultural, educational and economic exchanges, and provides scholarships for youth. While reservations are free, all are asked to make a generous donation in support of our programs. Donations can be made in advance online or on-site (cash, credit and check). RSVP required by July 17 at https://2017internationalbreakfast.eventbrite.com or  info@sistercities-nn.com

July 14-16, 2017
For the 4th summer in a row, Sister Cities Newport News and CNU will welcome 25 students and 1 faculty member from China’s University of Electronic Science and Technology (UESTC) to attend a 2-week summer program at CNU. To enhance their U.S. experience, we are seeking community members to host a student over the weekend of July 14-16. Pick-up will be on Friday afternoon (between 1 and 5 pm) at CNU with a return to campus on Sunday (after 6 pm). Host families do not have to be Newport News residents. In fact, several past hosts have been from the surrounding counties of York, Poquoson, and James City as well as the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton and Williamsburg. Hosts are not expected to “entertain” the students; the goal of a “homestay” is to introduce those from a different culture to typical, American, daily life...if there is such a thing! Going to the grocery store, running errands, taking kids to events, attending a house of worship…hosts are encouraged to follow your normal routines. This is a great opportunity as the visit is short and there is no schedule to keep other than pick-up and drop off. Completion of a one-page "Host Application" is required. More information is available by calling SCNN's Executive Director, Kate Helwig at 757-926-1348 or email: info@sistercities-nn.com

Registration is now open for the 2017 Virginia Sister Cities- Counties Annual Meeting in Norfolk to be held Friday, March 31. Norfolk Sister City Association will host this year’s annual state wide meeting at Slover Library, 235 East Plume Street, Norfolk. Parking is around the corner at the Main Street Garage. The meeting will being promptly at 10:00 am and end at 2:00 pm. The fee is $35 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
This year’s main topic is the 2017 Sister Cities International Conference hosted by Virginia Beach Sister Cities (July 13-15). This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the impressive work of our organizations.  For those interested, hotel rooms are available at discounted rate of $109 at the Wyndham Garden Norfolk Downtown.  https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-garden/norfolk-virginia/wyndham-garden-norfolk-downtown/overview  You will need to identify yourself as an attendee of the State Wide Sister City Meeting
.
Online Registration:
http://www.norfolksistercities.org/events/state-wide-sister-cities-meeting/
Venue: Slover Library
Venue Phone: 757-664-7323
Venue Website: http://www.sloverlibrary.com/
Address: 235 East Plume Street
Norfolk, Virginia, 23510, United States
Meeting Hosts:  Norfolk Sister City Association
232 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 / Office 757-627-0530 / www.norfolksistercities.org
Questions: Jennifer Priest, Executive Director
staff@norfolksistercities.org / Mobile  757-692-5718

All skill levels invited; Call 757-508-7163 for more information.

YOUTH TRAVEL TO GERMANY!
Sister Cities is accepting applications for a Youth Exchange to our Sister City of Greifswald, Germany. Tentative travel dates are June 16 - July 1, 2017. Students in grades 9-12 may apply. Application deadline is October 31, 2016. Detailed information can be found at:
http://www.sistercities-nn.com/outgoing-delegations.html
An information session will be held October 13th at 5:00 pm at Menchville High - interested students and parents are encouraged to attend . Ideal candidates are are adventurous, flexible, responsible, kind, patient, intelligent and respectful. Delegates are expected to pay for their passport, airfare, a $150 travel fee and spending money. Greifswald provides housing with a host families, tours and most meals. Total cost is estimated at $2,150. Can't travel on this exchange? People-to-People exchanges are the heart of Sister Cities program and we welcome many international delegates to Newport News each year. There are opportunities to get involved by hosting, translating or volunteering at a school. Learn more about this by calling 757-926-1348 or send an email inquiry to info@sistercities-nn.com.
NOTE: SCNN gives travel preference to hosts when making selections for outgoing exchanges.

FALL FESTIVAL WEEKEND
October 1-2
Come out to Newport News Park this Saturday and Sunday and enjoy a special cultural event like no other. Sister Cities will be there from 10:00  to 5:00 daily; Look for us in space E-18 across from the Ranger Station and Restrooms.

Polynesian Exhibition - Just $5!
The Mariners' Museum and Park will open its Polynesian Voyagers Exhibition this Saturday, October 1, 2016.  Festivities begin at 11 am and include cultural dance groups, music, and world-renowned speakers for the symposium at 1:00 pm. The Museum has reduced its admission to $5 for the day as opposed to the normal $13.95 rate. Check this link for more about the Opening Day festivities: http://eepurl.com/cfVxc9

Sister Cities of Newport News, a non-profit, citizen diplomacy network, is seeking applicants for a 20-member exchange delegation to visit Newport News’ sister city of Neyagawa, Japan this November. Openings are available for up to ten adults and ten youth in grades 9-12 to travel to Japan from November 18-27. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 9.

The perfect candidates for the exchange process are adventurous, flexible, responsible, kind, patient, intelligent and respectful. Citizen Diplomats are also expected to pay for their passport, airfare, a $150 travel fee and spending money. The host city provides housing, tours and most meals. Currently, round-trip airfare for the visit is quoted at just under $1,400 making the entire exchange under $2,000.

People-to-People exchanges are the heart of the Sister Cities program. We welcome many incoming delegations each year to Newport News. So, if you are unable to travel abroad or prefer not to, opportunities do exist in Newport News to host an international delegate or participate in other Sister Cities volunteer activities. To find out more about this one of a kind opportunity, call 757-926-1348 or visit our website: