Submitted by City of Carmel
The City of Carmel has been recognized for outstanding commitment to global friendship, cultural exchange and international collaboration with the prestigious Sister Cities International 2024 Annual Award for Best Overall Program among cities with a population between 100,001 and 300,000.
Sister Cities Award
Since 1962, Sister Cities International’s (SCI) Annual Awards have recognized excellence in overall programming and celebrated innovation in areas such as arts and culture, humanitarian assistance, business and trade, youth and education. SCI also honors a Youth Leader and Volunteer of the Year for their outstanding efforts to promote peace through citizen diplomacy. This year’s awards were presented in person during SCI’s Annual Business Meeting on July 22 in Fort Worth, Texas. The event brought together Sister Cities members, global guests and community leaders to celebrate the 2025 winners, strengthen international partnerships and explore the future of citizen diplomacy.
The City of Carmel received this award for its outstanding 2024 programming, which celebrated all six of its sister city relationships – Cortona (Italy), Jelgava (Latvia), Kawachinagano (Japan), Rueil-Malmaison (France), Seiffen (Germany), and Visakhapatnam (India). Designed to increase cultural awareness, education, and international collaboration, Carmel launched a year-long series of initiatives that included public exhibits, student exchanges, delegation visits and large-scale community events.
Carmel Sister Cities Highlights
Beyond fostering strong international connections, Carmel’s sister city relationships play a crucial role in enhancing community engagement right here at home. These partnerships cultivate economic opportunities, facilitate enriching student exchanges, drive academic collaborations and encourage valuable knowledge sharing. Every one of these initiatives reinforces the city’s dedication to actively involving all members of our community. Recent highlights include:
- Carmel Clay Public Library announced collaboration with the Sister Cities Committees to foster cultural exchange and community engagement through special programming at the library.
- Carmel Elementary Culture Club students made presentations about each sister city at the 2nd Annual Carmel Elementary PTO International Festival.
- Carmel Police Department and Jelgava, Latvia Police Department officers participated in a two-week exchange program in 2023 to learn about law enforcement in Jelgava and Carmel and had continued exchange in 2024.
- The Carmel International Arts Festival welcomed the Jelgava, Latvia Lielupe Folk Dance Ensemble to perform at the 2024 festival and featured exhibits and artists from all of the sister cities.
- Mayor Sue Finkam visited French sister city, Rueil-Malmaison.
- Carmel hosted a watch party for the 2024 Paris Olympics with sister city Rueil-Malmaison.
- Carmel hosted inaugural Diwali Festival of Lights.