2.0 Background Of Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation:
Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation (AGSCF) in line with Sister Cities International protocol is recognised as a non-profit, non-governmental citizen diplomacy network creating, strengthening and promoting Sister Cities partnerships among African communities and similar jurisdictions abroad. The Foundation was born out of the Ghana Sister Cities Foundation (GSCF) to be a non-profit non-governmental voluntary organisation established in 2003, with the same objectives as the Sister Cities International (SCI) and its affiliates.
One very important outcome of the 2003 12th Annual Conference of the U.S. Africa Sister Cities Foundation, a conference successfully coordinated by the Ghana Sister Cities Foundation and hosted by the City of Accra-Ghana under the auspices of Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development which was attended by five board members of SCI and judged one of the most successful conferences held in Ghana since independence, the most successful conference of the U.S. Africa Sister Cities Foundation held in Africa and above all, a resolution passed by the Sister Cities International placed the Conference among one of the best ever organised within the Sister City family, was the call on Africa Cities to widely extend the net of their Sister Cities relations beyond the borders of the United States of America.
2.1 Mission Statement Of AGSCF:
The AGSCF seeks to fulfil the following strategic mission:
“As the highest organisation representing Sister Cities International and its affiliates in Africa. Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation shall partner with Country Foundations, Cities/ Municipalities/district Assemblies to carry out Sister Cities International's vision of achieving international peace and security through people and communities of Africa promoting closer ties of friendship, understanding and cooperation with people, communities and cultures throughout the world, provide effective leadership support in the coordination of all programmes and activities of all sister cities in Africa working towards the achievement of SCI's goals.”
3.0 About The Sister-Cities Movement:
The Sister Cities idea originated in the United States of America soon after the Second World War. The horror and devastation unleashed on mankind by the two world wars in the last century became a source of great worry to many nations and statesmen.
The world woke up to the need to put in place measures that would lessen the chances of such future world conflicts and to promote international peace and security. The establishment of the United Nations Organization was one immediate measure.
In the United States, the idea of citizen diplomacy came up as a measure to reach out to the world with programs that could promote friendship and understanding.
The idea developed into a national initiative when in 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a people to - people program at a White House Conference.
President Eisenhower's initiative sought to involve people and organised groups at all levels of United States society in citizen diplomacy, with the belief that, people- to- people relationships, fostered through sister city affiliations, would lessen the chances of future conflicts. The ultimate objective of Eisenhower's vision was the achievement of international peace and security through people and communities of the United States promoting closer ties of friendship, understanding and co-operation with people, communities and cultures throughout the world.
3.1 SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL
Eisenhower's vision was given the necessary actualisation and out of it emerged the Sister Cities Movement. Sister Cities International (SCI) emerged as the embodiment of the people -to - people relationships and citizen diplomacy network and programs in the global arena. Sister Cities International is the apex of the organisation and is headed by an International President and has the President of the United States as the honorary Chairman with its Headquarters located in Washington DC, USA.
Sister Cities International is a non-governmental, non-profit, volunteer membership organisation. It leads the national movement for local community development and volunteers action in the global arena. It motivates and empowers municipal officials, volunteers, and the youth to conduct long- term programs of mutual benefit and interest with sister city counterparts.
Under the SCI are the area, country, city, and local organizational structures all over the globe, working towards the achievement of SCI's goals in order to ensure a better world and life for mankind.
The Sister Cities International network now consists of over 2,300 Sister City partnerships in 127 countries around the world. Originally part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International became a separate non-profit organisation in 1967.
GOALS OF SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL
The SCI goals are: To develop municipal partnerships between US towns, cities, countries or states and those of similar jurisdictions in other nations for the mutual benefit of their citizenry.To create opportunities for the citizens of member cities to experience and explore other cultures through long-term municipal partnership.To create an atmosphere in which economic development and trade can be developed, implemented and strengthened.
To stimulate environments through which municipal partnerships can creatively learn, work and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional, and technical exchanges and projects.
To collaborate with organizations in the United States and other countries that has similar goals.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
SCI provides a wealth of resources and benefits to its member communities, as well as to its supporters and sponsors. Among these benefits are: Access to SCI's online International Community Resource Centre, which allows a community to find funding resources, share program information with sister cities worldwide, and instantly translate letters and other documents into several languages. Support from SCI's worldwide network, providing a community with technical assistance on initiating, building, and managing local sister city programs. Subscription to all SCI publications, including News and Reports to the membership. Official listing of a community in the SCI Membership Directory Eligibility to send voting delegates to SCI Annual Conferences The ability to participate in all aspects of SCI growth and development programs. The feeling that, you and your community are making a real difference in the world. And much, much more.
3.2 US AFRICA SISTER CITIES FOUNDATION
The US Africa Sister Cities Foundation (USACF) is an arm of Sister Cities International. The Foundation was formed by Washington DC-Darkar Sister Cities affiliation in 1991. Since its inception, the Foundation has created greater awareness of sister cities ideals in Africa, resulting in greater African involvement in the sister cities program. The Foundation has gained popularity within the SCI because of its impressive achievements. The Foundation co-ordinates activities and promotes the interest of Africa within the movement. It holds annual conferences, which create the forum for discussion of topical issues with a view to finding solutions. The conferences also provide opportunities for interaction and negotiating new affiliations. Today, the Foundation is an advocate organization addressing issues that affect Africa and promotes public awareness through African Sister Cities relationships. The Foundation encourages mutual respect, cooperation and improved quality of life. The Foundation is headed by a President who currently is in the personality of Ms Shirley Rivens Smith. The headquarters of the Foundation is in Washington DC, USA.
3.3 WHAT ARE SISTER CITIES?
In the context of the Eisenhower vision and in simple terms, Sister Cities are any two cities or municipalities directly linked up in mutual relationship for social, economic, and cultural exchanges and development at grassroots level under the umbrella of Sister Cities International.
3.4 WHAT IS A SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP?
A Sister City relationship therefore refers to an official relationship between two or more communities directly linked up for social, economic, and cultural exchanges and development at grassroots level under the umbrella of Sister Cities International. To be official, a sister city relationship must have the endorsement of the local authorities, with the support of community volunteers. Sister city agreements are signed by respective mayors or equivalent of the cities / municipalities and ratified by each city council or its equivalent. This dynamic process empowers all sectors of the community to participate in the global arena, thus promoting citizen diplomacy from the grassroots level.
3.5 SISTER CITY PARTNERSHIPS IN AFRICA
Currently, per the SCI 2005 membership directory there are ninety-six (97) Africa cities and municipalities / districts in partnership with sister cities in the United States (refer to 10.0). These Africa partners have been in sister cities relationships for varied periods of time and have had various experiences to narrate with regards to their benefits from the program.
4.0 HEADQUARTERS OF THE AFRICA GLOBAL SISTER CITIES FOUNDATION:
The headquarters of the AGSCF is based in Accra-Ghana and has Prince Kwame Kludjeson who is currently the Country Coordinator for Ghana as its President. Since the Head Office of AGSCF is based in Ghana, the Ghana Sister Cities Foundation which co-ordinates all Sister Cities activities in Ghana shall automatically fall directly under the Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation. As such, Ghana Sister Cities Foundation becomes an affiliate of Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation.
5.0 OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS OF AGSCF:
Based on its mission, the objectives and functions of AGSCF are as follows: I. Work hand in hand with Sister Cities International and its affiliates to achieve its goals of: II. Developing community partnerships between U.S. cities, countries, states and similar jurisdictions in other nations. III. Create opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long term community partnerships; Create an atmosphere in which economic and community development will be implemented and strengthened; IV. Stimulate environments through which communities will creatively learn, work and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional, and technical exchanges and projects; V. Collaborate with organizations in the United States and other countries that have similar goals.
A. Provide effective leadership support to all sister cities in Africa.
B. Collaborate with all affiliates of SCI working towards the achievement of SCI's goals, Municipal officials, business men and women, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions in Africa, civil society organizations and grassroots volunteers to develop and strengthen municipal partnerships between Africa countries, cities, towns, communities and those of similar jurisdictions throughout the world for the mutual benefit of the citizens of Africa.
C. Promote peace, love and understanding among Africans and Africans in the Diaspora, and the rest of the world, including countries and communities divided by ethnic, tribal and political conflicts.
D. To develop friendly relations among African cities and communities and the rest of the world based on respect for each other's cultural and religious beliefs,
E. To create opportunities for the citizens of member cities to experience and explore other cultures through long-term municipal partnership.
F. To create an atmosphere in which economic development and trade between Africa cities and cities of other countries can be developed, implemented and strengthened. To stimulate environments through which municipal partnerships between African cities and cities of other countries can creatively learn, work and solve
G. problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional, and technical exchanges and projects;
H. To serve as a platform for discussing problems and challenges facing most African cities. I. To collaborate with organizations in Africa and other countries in the world that have similar goals.
6.0 AREA OF OPERATION:
Like the Sister Cities International, Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation operates within the following key areas:
I. Arts and Culture
II. Business and Economic Development
III. Education
IV. Environmental awareness
V. Disability awareness
VI. Healthcare assistance
VII. Public safety
VIII. Training
IX. Youth Involvement
X. Humanitarian Relief
7.0 ORGANS OF THE AFRICA GLOBAL SISTER CITIES FOUNDATION
Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation has four main organs:
a. The AGSCF Board
b. Office of the President
c. The Council
d. The Secretariat
7. 0a THE AGSCF - BOARD
The Foundation currently has a seven (7) member Board and one Honorary member consisting of eminent volunteer personalities drawn from various fields to support in carrying out its functions. The Members of the Board consist of Business Executives, Legal Practitioners, University Lectures, Social Counselors, Tourism Consultants, Rtd Army Officers, and Industrialists etc. The functions of the Board shall consist of:
1. Providing guidance to the AGSCF through the President in order to enhance the implementation of its projects and programmes.
2. Advising the secretariat on all projects and development programmes.
3. Perform any other functions that might be required
7.0b OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
- The office is responsible for the overall Planning, Supervision, Administration, Co-ordination and Control for the effective functioning and day to day running of the Foundation. The Office of the President therefore performs the following functions:
- Establish effective linkages with Sister Cities International and its affiliates, Country Foundations, Sister City Committees, donors and agencies to harmonise the work of the Foundation.
- Implement decisions taken by AGSCF- Board and Sister Cities International and the U.S. Africa Sister Cities Foundation
- Implement recommended policies and Procedures for carrying out the work of the Foundation.
- Co-ordinate the activities of all the divisions of the Foundation.
- Be responsible for the operational and financial administration of the Foundation
- Prepare and present the required working and technical papers on Sister City programmes and activities in Africa for and on behalf of the Foundation for onward submission to Sister Cities International.
- Liaise with SCI and other donor agencies with the view to regulating and co-ordinating the forms and levels of resource mobilization for the support of Sister City programmes in Africa.
- Speak on Sister City programmes and advocate for peace and security as well as other topical issues affecting Africa cities and communities.
- Act as the International Coordinator on African affairs to the Sister Cities International.
- Prepare and present annual reports on the activities of the Foundation.
- Undertake any other activities Sister Cities International assigns to him.
7.0c THE AFRICA GLOBAL SISTER CITIES FOUNDATION COUNCIL (AGSCFC)
I. The AGSCF Council comprises Country Co-ordinators from each African country that has an established Country Sister Cities Foundation duly recognized by the Sister Cities International and its affiliates. The AGSCF Council is an advisory and deliberative institution and meets once every year to deliberate on topical issues affecting the organization. In case of emergency however, the President /chair shall call for AGSCF council meetings. Issues to be discussed shall include: 1. Review the secretariat's annual reports and recommend them for approval by the AGSCF board.
2. Advise the AGSCF on other matters demanding sister city co-operation and urgent attention in Africa.
7.0d SECRETARIAT OF THE FOUNDATION (AGSCFS):
The secretariat of AGSCF provides both administrative and technical support to the AGSCF. As the implementation body, the secretariat acts as a focal point for co-ordinating, researching, evaluation, resource mobilisation and disbursements, and in the implementation of all sister city programs in Africa.
7.1 STRATEGIC MISSION OF THE SECRETARIAT:
The AGSCF Secretariat seeks to fulfil the following strategic mission: “Provide an efficient and effective managerial, administrative and coordinative support apparatus for the achievement of the objectives of the Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation in particular and the Sister Cities International in general.”
7.2 FUNCTIONS OF THE SECRETARIAT:
- With reference to its mission, the secretariat performs the following functions:
- Provide the requisite administrative support for the Foundation
- Implement policy decisions of the Foundation
- Co-ordinate the activities of all Sister Cities Country Foundations in Africa
- Prepare annual budgets and work plans as well as manage the operational funds of the Foundation.
- Provide relevant data on all sister cities affiliates in Africa for information, education and communication activities of the sister cities movement throughout the world.
- Monitor and conduct relevant evaluation of all on-going Sister Cities activities in Africa
- Liaise with donor agencies and other stakeholders with the view to co-ordinating and monitoring the level of resource mobilization both externally and internally.
- Carry out any other functions that may be assigned to it by the Sister Cities International.
8.0 STRUCTURE OF THE SECRETARIAT:
The secretariat has five key management staff to assist the President in making decisions and implementing its decisions. These are:
1. Executive Administrator (EA).
2. Director of Human Resource (DOHR)
3. Director of Finance (DOF).
4. Director of Programmes and Development (DOPAD).
5. Director of Communications and Public Affairs (DOCPA)
In addition, the secretariat recruits ten extra support staff to support the key management staff.
8.1 EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR (EA):
The Executive Administrator is the head of the Administration division of the Foundation and is responsible for the management and catering for the central administrative needs and services of the secretariat.
Its functions include:
Provision of general administrative and secretarial services to the Foundation's secretariat as well as other divisions and units. Liaise with other agencies.
Procurement and distribution of supplies and equipment to Divisions and units.
8.2 DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE (DOHR):
The DOHR is the head of the Human Resource Division of the Secretariat and perform the following functions. See to the general welfare of all staff of the Foundation. Receive complaints and suggestions from staff and advice management on all staff issues. Training and updating of staff of the Foundation Liaise with other management staff for the recruitment of staff members Responsible for all social activities of the Foundation Responsible for all external relations of the Foundation. Perform any other functions as and when assigned.
8.3 DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (DOF):
- The director of finance is the head of the Finance and Accounting division of the Secretariat and performs the following functions:
- Responsible for all the Foundations Funds both internal and external.
- Preparation of comprehensive budgets and effective disbursement of funds.
- Prepare detailed financial reports (monthly, quarterly and annually) on the foundation explaining the Foundation's financial position.
- Ensure that the Foundation fully complies with government tax policies and fully complies with laid down rules and regulations governing the operations of non-governmental organizations.
- Undertake resource mobilisation.
- Perform any other function at the request of the President
8.4 DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM AND DEVELOPMENT (DOPAD):
The DOPAD is the head of the Programme and Development division, the main division tasked to undertake and co-ordinate all Sister Cities activities in Africa. The division is responsible for studying and researching into areas of sister city co-operation in Africa including the formulation of national plans and guidelines and effective alternative programmes.
- The division is further responsible for monitoring programmes of the Foundation in order to assess their impact on communities as well as their relevance to the objectives of Sister Cities International. The division therefore performs the following functions:
- Actively undertake research, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects.
- Draft comprehensive global policies and plans for the Foundation.
- Assist in the determination of priorities of programs aimed at strengthening sister cities ideas in Africa as well as how such policies could impact positively on the people and communities of Africa.
- Establish an effective global and evaluation framework for all programmes and activities of the Foundation and stakeholders.
- Constantly update policies and basic data on sister city activities in Africa and ensure appropriate dissemination of information among all Country Foundations in Africa.
- Liase with development partners to draw up development plans for implementation
8.5 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The Director of Communications And Public Affairs is the Head of Communications And Public Affairs Division of the Secretariat and performs the following functions: Its functions includes Plan, develop and implement effective communications and outreach strategies in order to raise awareness and understanding about, and improve the image of the organization. Represent the Organization and the President on a broad range of issues at official functions and meetings
- Serve as a principal liaison between the organization and certain national and international groups, media organizations and local and foreign magazines.
- Prepare or oversee the preparation of major communications products, including briefings and speeches for the President and senior management
- Chair task forces and working groups on various topics approved by the President.
- Frequently interact with the President, senior management and supporting staff, and other counterparts across the organization's main areas of operation.
- Represent the organization on any issues relating to the local and international print and electronic media, the Internet, high level government officials both local and international as well as parliamentarians and public servants, the private sector and other non-governmental organizations.
9.0 CONCLUSION:
Ever since the late President Eisenhower's vision was given the necessary actualisation through the formation of the Sister Cities International, its contribution to peace and development within the global village has been tremendous. Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation building on the ideals of that vision and the contribution of Sister Cities Movement therefore seeks to open more doors of the Sister Cities Movement to a wider community by encouraging Africa cities to see the importance of this vision and take advantage of it's programmes to enhance Africa's search for sustainable peace and development.
1.0 INTERPRETATION OF ACRONYMS:
In this Document, unless the context otherwise changes,
Acronym: Refers to:
AGSCF Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation
SCI Sister Cities International
USASCF U.S. Africa Sister Cities Foundation
GSCF Ghana Sister Cities Foundation
Rtd Retired
MP Member of Parliament
U.S.A. United States of America
AGSCFC Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation Council
AGSCF-BOARD Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation Board
AGSCFS Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation Secretariat
CA Chief Administrator (Executive Director)
DOHR Director of Human Resource
DOF Director of Finance
DOPAD Director of Programmes and Development
DOCPA Director of Communications and Public Affairs
