ANAHEIM SISTER CITES ASSOCIATION (ASCA)
A nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization, was incorporated in 1967 as a member of Sister Cities International based in Washington, D.C. ASCA’s current sister cities are Mito, Japan and Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. ASCA’s goal is to promote business, culture and education, and to further the understanding of the diverse world populations.
The Association offers opportunities to meet and interact with visiting delegates from other countries; host a student during their two-week stay in Anaheim; travel and meet city delegates from perspective new sister cities and tour their regions; ,learn and appreciate other countries’ cultures and traditions. ASCA’s Board of Directors and members are representatives from the business community, other organizations, individuals and City officials that give it a diversified membership. The association meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce’s conference room and is open to all members who would like to attend.
SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL
(SCI) represents more than 2400 communities in more than 100 countries. SCI serves as a citizen diplomacy network that creates and develops partnerships between the United States and communities abroad. Created by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956. This People to People Initiative urged U.S. cites, as model centers of opportunity, expression and economic growth to unite worldwide with foreign cities and communities to build a solid structure of world peace. Today, more than 1,000 cities in the United States and 1,500 cities in foreign countries have established formal sister city affiliations. It focuses on sustainable development, youth and education, arts, and culture, humanitarian assistance and economic growth programs by developing municipal partnership between U. S. cities, counties and states in other nations with similar jurisdictions. SCI provides opportunities for city officials and citizens to explore and understand other cultures through long-term community relationships and partnerships; develop, implement and strengthen economic and community development; understand and stimulate environments for communities through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional projects and technical exchanges.
MITO, JAPAN.
ASCA entered its first sister city relationship with Mito on December 21, 1976. Mito is located 70 miles north of Tokyo and is the “Plum Blossom Capital” and a center of commerce, culture, education and political power. Since 1984, Anaheim and Mito have enjoyed an annual student exchange program. Mito and Anaheim high school students are hosted by local families and enjoy the life style and educational opportunities as well as local site-seeing interests. The Wada Family, owners of a doll factory in Mito, presented an Imperial Doll Collection during a delegation visit in the spring, 2004. The collection is displayed in the Sister Cities’ display case located on the first floor of City Hall near the Council Chamber’s entrance. Mito Garden and the Pathway to Friendship are located in front of the Anaheim City Hall where names of ASCA sponsors are inscribed on bricks that lead into Mito Garden. The Pathway to Friendship is an on-going fundraiser ASCA sponsors can purchase a brick and have it inscribed with their or someone’s name and, if desired, a brief message.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ.
On May 22, 1998, Anaheim began its second sister city relationship with Vitoria-Gasteiz, located in northern Spain. Vitoria-Gasteiz is known for its magnificent cathedrals and museums and is rich in historical, musical and its artistic background. The late Santiago Echevarria, an Anaheim businessman, fostered this relationship.
NEW SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS. ASCA continues to pursue new relationships throughout the world with cities that have similar jurisdictions.
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Sarah Alevizon, Charlotte Brady, Joe Carter, Marge Conway, Liz Fink, June Glenn, Greg Hastings, Jerry Heffern, Robert Hernandez, Kristi Hofstetter, Ed Munson, Wendy Neely, John Nguyen, Tom Oblonsky, Scott Pakiser, Shirley Rosales, Denise Silberman, Henri Soucy and Dorthea Stephenson. The officers are elected within members of the Board and serve for one year with a two-year limit. The Board is elected at the Annual Dinner Meeting in June. All ASCA members participate and cast their votes for the Board members.
For further information regarding ASCA, please contact Marge Conway, current president, at (714) 776-7579.
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