Izmir
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Sister Cities
Izmir & Long Beach
The American "Sister Cities" program was begun in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower. It was originally administered as part of the National League of Cities, but since 1967 it has been a separate organization, Sister Cities International (SCI), which is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate private business and economic development. SCI leads the movement for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders to conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit.
Youth/Education
Long Beach, California International Communityand Izmir, Turkey
Seven Washington Middle School eighth-graders
embarked on an overseas journey to attend Space Camp
Turkey in the city of Izmir. The trip marks the second year
Washington Middle School students have been awarded
scholarships from Global Friendship Through Space
Education to attend the one-week Partner School Science
Program, which aims to expand students’ knowledge of
math and science and promote cross-cultural understanding
through collaborative research and hands-on activities.
The students were selected to participate based on
their academic success and citizenship.
In preparation for their adventure, the children and their
teachers used e-mail and videoconferencing to converse
with students of the same age from Gelisim College in Izmir
about space-related technologies, as well as what their lives
are like in their home countries. During their week at Space
Camp Turkey, the students meet the children from Gelisim
College and from other countries, share their cultures, and
develop friendships formed through a common interest in
space. They learn and discuss common global issues
regarding space, including sharing of space nations and
keeping space clean and safe. They also learn the history of
NASA, build and launch rockets, experience flight simulation,
and be assigned roles with specific tasks to conduct
their own space mission. “Washington Middle School is in a
neighborhood of Long Beach that is plagued with violence,
drugs, gangs and poverty,” says Susan Yamaguchi, business
manager for the school. “This trip fulfills a vision of seeing
Washington students experience international awareness,
exposure to new cultures and peace amongst all people, all
while learning about space and science.”
The scholarships awarded by GFTSE covered only the oneweek
camp. Yamaguchi, the students, their parents,
Washington science teacher Mark Stone, and Washington
student aide Maria Canela conducted fundraising activities
throughout the year to earn the needed $23,000 for airfare
and other expenses. One of the most profitable
fundraisers was a dinner and silent auction. More than
150 local business and individuals donated items for the
auction. Generous contributions were also made by
founders of GFTSE and Space Camp Turkey Kaya and Mary
Tuncer, Washington math teacher Mario Guillen,
Halliburton, the Los Angeles Turkish American
Association, the Michael Levy Galleries, and the Los
Angeles Super Shuttle.
The newly founded Izmir-Long Beach Sister Cities
Association leaders have pledged ongoing support for the
Partner School Science Program at Space Camp Turkey.
Izmir has been an official sister city to Long Beach since
December 2005. The program will be developed to become
an integral part of the Izmir Long Beach Sister Cities programs.
“The Izmir-Long Beach Sister Cities Association will
continue to support the success of the program by motivating,
engaging and empowering private citizens, municipal
officials and business leaders from Long Beach and the
Turkish American community in Southern California,” said
Dennis Aytekin, president of the Turkish-North American
Business Alliance. The students, who were accompanied by
science teacher Stone and aide Canela, returned from their
trip in July.
Global Friendship Through Space Education is a Californiabased
501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting
friendship through the experience of hands-on
space education in a camp environment. By awarding
scholarships, GFTSE provides young people with an opportunity
to attend a Space Camp program specifically
designed for 12- to 16-year-olds. More information visit
www.gftse.org. Sister Cities of Long Beach Inc. enjoys
eight Sister Cities and one Friendship City relationship
with communities around the world, including Izmir,
Turkey. It hosts more than 25 international delegations
per year and the Annual International Sister City Festival,
drawing close to 1,000 attendees.
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Also:
- Wise &
Çeşme, Turkey
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