REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Presentation from Santa Clara Sister Cities Association and Students for Recent Visit to Izumo, Japan
Report
BACKGROUND
Santa Clara Sister Cities Association (SCSCA) is a local community organization established to enrich the Santa Clara community through cultural exchange programs and opportunities. It is a member of Sister Cities International and is registered with Northern California Sister Cities. The City of Santa Clara has three Sister Cities and one Friendship City.
• Coimbra, Portugal, established August 4, 1972
• Izumo, Japan, established October 11, 1986
• Limerick, Ireland, established August 1, 2014
• Icheon, Republic of Korea, re-established July 9, 2024 (Friendship City)
Each year, the SCSCA provides opportunities for both Santa Clara students and students from Santa Clara Sister Cities to experience each other’s culture on a firsthand basis. SCSCA organizes high school student exchange programs and a junior high exchange program with Izumo, Japan. In January and March 2024, delegations of high school and middle school students from Izumo, Japan visited the City of Santa Clara and toured Santa Clara City Hall. Between June 7 and June 16, 2024, a delegation of six high school students and representatives from SCSCA traveled to Izumo, Japan.
The following students listed below participated in the trip:
• Hillary Lee, Wilcox High School
• Maryam Radwan, Wilcox High School
• Namita Gaidhani, Cupertino High School
• Svara Kalamkar, Wilcox High School
• Yotam Dubiner, Wilcox High School
• Brianna Ortega, Wilcox High School
DISCUSSION
At the August 20, 2024 City Council meeting, local high school students who took part in the June 2024 exchange visit to Izumo, Japan will give a presentation to the City Council about their trip.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Fiona Kirby, Management Analyst, City Manager’s Office
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager