Tempe Sister Cities is thrilled to announce that our Youth Cultural Exchange program received the 2025 Sister Cities International Innovation in Youth & Education Award at the prestigious Diplomat Gala in Fort Worth.

This honor celebrates our commitment to fostering global connections and cultural understanding among youth in cities with populations of 100,000–300,000. Since 1972, Tempe Sister Cities has sent over 800 students abroad, building bridges across cultures through meaningful exchanges. This award, part of Sister Cities International’s Annual Awards Program since 1962, recognizes our program’s outstanding contributions to citizen diplomacy.

A heartfelt thank you to President David Carerra and Board Member Joe Forte, who accepted the award on our behalf, as well as our dedicated board, volunteers, delegates, and parents. Your passion and support make this program a beacon of global unity. Here’s to continuing our mission of connecting the world, one exchange at a time!