Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a grant agreement with Greater Columbus Sister Cities International (GCSCI) in support of the Accra Sister City Youth Ambassador Program.
Four Columbus high school students will receive the Accra Sister City Youth Ambassador Scholarship which partially subsidizes their participation in two programs: The Accra Sister City Sankofa Sojourn and the Sister City Youth Ambassador Training Program.
The Accra Sister City Sankofa Sojourn is an 18-month leadership development program culminating in a two-week study abroad trip to Ghana, West Africa highlighting the Accra Sister City relationship. After the trip, the students will engage in a 6 month “speaking tour” organized by Pan-African Connections (PAC), a locally based international experiential education non-profit. The Sister City Youth Ambassador Training Program (SCYAT) is a 12-month youth civic engagement program focused on public speaking, political education, and international relations. This is jointly organized by PAC and Greater Columbus Sister Cities International.
This program will provide for the second official GCSCI trip to Ghana since formalizing the sister city relationship between Columbus and Accra, and will significantly advance the development of the Sister City Youth Ambassador Program.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to have funds in place in preparation for travel planning to Accra.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Greater Columbus Sister Cities International in support of the Sister City Youth Ambassador Program; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure of $10,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus and Ghana formalized a sister city partnership with a delegation of public officials and local ambassadors traveling to Accra in 2015...
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