07/30/2026
Congratulations, Highland Park!🥰
Last weekend, we had the privilege of accepting Sister Cities International's 2026 Best Overall Program Award for cities with populations under 100,000 at Sister Cities International's 70th Anniversary Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
With more than 1,800 partnerships spanning 140+ countries, Sister Cities International represents an extraordinary global network of citizen diplomacy. We are incredibly proud that Highland Park's work was recognized on this international stage.
One of the evening's most meaningful moments came when the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs shared these words about our program: "We have brought the world to Highland Park and Highland Park to the world."
That recognition belongs to everyone who has supported our mission. Thank you to our volunteers, partners, and community members whose dedication has made this achievement possible.
During our time in Washington, we had the privilege of accepting the award, meeting with the delegation from Ghana, and visiting with the Ambassador of Japan (see photos in the comments).
Everywhere we went, we were reminded of the friendships, mutual understanding, and lasting connections that grow through international exchange.
We returned home more inspired than ever to continue our mission of making the world a better place through the power of personal connections.
