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Fort Worth Sister Cities reports programs, youth exchanges and workforce plans in annual update
Summary
Fort Worth Sister Cities presented its 2024 accomplishments and 2025 plans to the City Council, highlighting youth exchanges, a 40th anniversary, alumni outcomes and new workforce‑development partnerships.
Fort Worth Sister Cities presented an annual update to the City Council on Feb. 11, outlining 2024 activity, 2025 programming plans and a focus on workforce development and cultural exchange tied to the organization’s 40th anniversary.
What the organization said: Kipin (last name in transcript: Diabachiu), the new president and CEO, and board chair Cindy Johnson summarized the nonprofit’s exchange programs, alumni outcomes and planned international activities. “We celebrate today 40 years of partnership,” Cindy Johnson said as she introduced the leadership transition. Kipin described youth and adult exchanges planned for 2025, including trips to Italy, Indonesia and southern France, and said the organization is exploring Calgary as a potential tenth sister city.
Why it matters: Sister Cities emphasizes cultural and educational exchange and positions Fort Worth for international engagement tied to events such as the FIFA World Cup; presenters said exchanges produce alumni who go on to develop international careers and workforce pipelines.
Program highlights and goals - In 2024 Sister Cities said it ran youth exchanges to six countries serving 85 students and run adult exchanges and alumni programs. - Presenters highlighted alumni examples, workforce development plans including potential financial‑literacy partnerships, and the organization’s role as a resource for the 2026 World Cup region. - The organization said it measures outcomes before and after programming and tracks alumni who later place interns from other countries with U.S. employers.
Council remarks and next steps Council members thanked the organization and noted collaborations such as a Sister Cities anniversary challenge for an upcoming marathon and volunteer exchanges. Sister Cities requested ongoing city support and described plans to expand student participation through additional fundraising and partnerships.
Bottom line: Sister Cities presented a year of international exchanges and alumni engagement and outlined workforce development and program‑expansion plans for 2025; the organization seeks partnerships to broaden student participation and to support Fort Worth’s international engagement efforts.
