Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sister Cities Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sister Cities program restarts exchanges; Salt Lake delegation visits Matsumoto, Ukraine connection renewed
Summary
City staff and the Sister Cities board briefed councilmembers on 2024 activity: a mayoral/delegation visit to Matsumoto, a restarted youth exchange, renewed contact with Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and ongoing efforts to digitize six decades of program records and pursue small‑business and cultural exchanges.
Salt Lake City’s Sister Cities program presented an informational update to the council on April 8 summarizing 2024 activities and priorities, including a mayor‑led delegation to Matsumoto, Japan; a restart of a decades‑long youth exchange program; reconnection with Chernivtsi, Ukraine; and efforts to preserve program records.
Katie Mathison, communications and diplomacy officer in Economic Development, and Ross Chambliss, chair of the Sister Cities board, told the council the program was reinvigorated starting in 2022 after several years of limited activity. Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Council Member Mano led a delegation to Matsumoto in October 2024 following a reciprocal visit from Matsumoto in 2023. The board described visits to local businesses, the city museum and cultural sites in Matsumoto and said the trip generated ideas for possible small‑business exchanges and arts collaborations.
Also highlighted: a short youth exchange in July 2024 in which four high‑school students from Matsumoto visited host families in Salt Lake City; staff secured additional program funding; the city re‑established contact with Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and has held virtual meetings with that city’s mayor; and staff began digitizing decades of archival materials and photo albums, including donations from community members tied to Keelung, Taiwan.
Councilmembers asked staff about strategic planning and budgeting for the program. Staff said there is not yet a formal strategic plan but the program evaluates potential projects through five broad benefit areas — economic, cultural, educational, humanitarian and sustainability — and that staff welcome council direction on priorities. Members of the council urged clearer strategic guidance to help explain program costs and expected outcomes to constituents.
The briefing was informational only; no council action was required. Staff said next steps include continuing digitization of program records, recruiting youth representation on the advisory board, pursuing business and educational exchange pilots and coordinating any incoming delegations, including a potential visit from Chernivtsi later this year.
