Thanks for posting this report on the grass-root workings of San Antonio’s sister cities efforts. Having a strategic approach is key.

Highlighting 1.8 BILLION YOUTH exist in our world today, we must continue in pressing forward Sister City partnerships that are in line with both a) US government partnerships defined by the US Office of Global Partnerships — http://www.state.gov/s/partnerships/partner/index.htm; and b) United Nations efforts to build a New Urban Agenda.

UN Habitat held HABITAT III process hearings for the role of stakeholders in the New Urban Agenda can be viewed by following this link . http://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/asset/1636/1636924/ In October 2016, in Quito the new plan will be agreed upon.

As a retired UNHCR professional, I can attest through my involvements with the United Nations over 3 decades, that it is important for Sister Cities to establish a global ‘Community of Practice’ that can build upon our individual city strengths and citizen participants in helping (in line with USG goals) to:

• Co-create solutions to shared problems that advance the core goals of each of the partners;

• Share risk, investment (direct or indirect), and potential reward for all partners; and

Leverage unique partner skills and assets, producing outcomes with greater impact than could be achieved independently.