Select Past Programs

A look back at programs and events from Neighbors Abroad

2024
anniversary 2024

15th Anniversary – Tsuchiura and Palo Alto

Tsuchiura, Japan

In early October 2024, Neighbors Abroad celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Palo Alto and Tsuchiura. The visiting delegation, led by Mayor Marika Ando, enjoyed a three-day itinerary that included a welcome dinner at Terun, visits to local schools and the Mitchell Park library, a ceremonial tree planting, a meeting with Palo Alto Mayor Greer Stone and other city officials, and a celebratory BBQ dinner at the Palo Alto Art Center.
anniversary 2024

Albi-Palo Alto 30th Anniversary Celebrations – 2024

Albi, France

In 2024, Albi and Palo Alto marked thirty years as Sister Cities. The celebration commenced in July when Albi hosted a delegation from Palo Alto, featuring Mayor Greer Stone meeting Albi Mayor Stephanie Guiraud-Chaumeil.
art 2024

We Are What We Eat: Culinary Heritage of Our Sister Cities

Multiple (Albi, Enschede, Heidelberg, Linkoping, Oaxaca, Palo, Tsuchiura, Yangpu)

The organization partnered with curator Harriet Stern to display food-themed artwork from eight international Sister Cities. The exhibition explored "how traditional cuisine and modern variations can tell the story of a country and its culture" through art and photography.
2023
anniversary 2023

60th Anniversary Party & SustainCity Summit

Multiple (Heidelberg, Tsuchiura, Enschede, Palo)

In October 2023, Neighbors Abroad celebrated its 60th anniversary with a week of events welcoming delegates from Heidelberg (Germany), Tsuchiura (Japan), Enschede (Netherlands), and Palo (Philippines). The inaugural SustainCity Summit occurred at Palo Alto City Hall, featuring roundtable discussions on sustainability and climate change mitigation between sister city representatives and local officials.
delegation 2023

2023 Albi Delegation to Palo Alto

Albi, France

The organization welcomed a delegation from Albi, France in September 2023. The three-member delegation spent five days meeting with local business leaders, Stanford University energy experts, Palo Alto elected officials, museum directors, and city staff.
contest 2023

Leendert Overduin Civil Courage Essay Contest

Enschede, Netherlands

Sister Cities since 1980, Palo Alto and Enschede, the Netherlands joined forces to launch the Leendert Overduin Civil Courage Essay Contest, open to high school students in Palo Alto and neighboring cities, as well as their Sister City peers in Europe and students in our Sibling City, Bloomington, Indiana.
exchange 2023

2023 Overduin Essay Contest Student Trip

Enschede, Netherlands

In June 2023, the teen winners of the Overduin Civil Courage Essay Contest traveled to Enschede to participate in a week of activities with their Dutch and German essay contest counterparts. During the impactful visit, the winning teens learned more about the subject of their essays: Pastor Leendert Overduin, a member of the Dutch resistance who saved hundreds of Jewish children during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
contest 2023

Young Artists and Authors Contest

Sister Cities International presents its annual Young Artists and Authors Showcase, encouraging young people ages 13-18 to express the organization's mission through original artwork, writing, photography, and music. The 2023 theme was "Peace by Piece: Food Security in my Community."
2022
art 2022

Art and Sustainability

Multiple (Oaxaca, Heidelberg, Palo Leyte, Yangpu, Linkoping, Enschede)

Neighbors Abroad's rainwater capture project in Oaxaca revealed a paradox: impactful environmental programs often operate invisibly. The organization developed the Art & Sustainability Program to leverage visual art's transformative power to highlight sustainability initiatives across Palo Alto's Sister Cities.