To:

From:

City of Richmond

General Purposes Committee

Cecilia Achiam

Report to Committee

General Manager, Community Safety

Date: February 14, 2020

File: 01-0100-30-SCIT1-01/2020-Vol 01

Re: Sister City Advisory Committee 2019 Year in Review

Staff Recommendation

That the staff report titled "Sister City Advisory Committee 2019 Year in Review", dated February 14, 2020, from the General Manager, Community Safety, be received for information.

Cecilia Achiam General Manager, Community Safety (604-276-4122)

Att. 2

REPORT CONCURRENCE

SENIOR STAFF REPORT REVIEW INITIALS:

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February 14, 2020 - 2 -

Staff Report

Origin

The City of Richmond's Sister City Advisory Committee (SCAC) was established on February 11, 1974 (formerly the Sister City Twinning Committee) and fosters mutual understanding and meaningful cultural connections with designated Sister/Friendship cities in the interests of Richmond citizens for their common benefit.

In accordance with the SCAC Terms of Reference, this report updates Council on work completed by the SCAC, in 2019, towards the 2019-2022 Activity Plan (Attachment 1) endorsed by Council on January 14,2019.

This report supports Council's Strategic Plan 2018-2022 Strategy #3 One Community Together:

Vibrant and diverse arts and cultural activities and opportunities for community engagement and connection.

3.2 Enhance arts and cultural programs and activities.

3. 4 Celebrate Richmond's unique and diverse history and heritage.

This report supports Council's Strategic Plan 2018-2022 Strategy #4 An Active and Thriving Richmond:

An active and thriving community characterized by diverse social and wellness programs, services and spaces that foster health andwell-beingfor all.

4.1 Robust, affordable, and accessible sport, recreation, wellness and social programs for people of all ages and abilities.

Background

The role and purpose of the Sister City Advisory Committee (SCAC) is to provide advice to and assist Council with promoting the City's culture and values. The SCAC is also responsible for delivering the Sister City Program and pursuing the City's goal to establish and sustain cultural, educational and sustainable ties with approved Sister/Friendship Cities. Additionally, the SCAC will advise the City of any economic development, international trade and business opportunities presented to the Committee or its subcommittees arising from SCAC activities.

The City of Richmond has had a Sister City relationship with Pierrefonds, Quebec since 1967; Wakayama, Japan since 1973; and Xiamen, China since 2012. The City formed a Friendship City relationship with Qingdao, China in 2008.

6410754 GP - 11

February 14, 2020 - 3 -

Finding of Fact

Summary of 2019 Year in Review

In 2019, Council approved the Sister City Advisory Committee Four Year Activity Plan (2019-2022) (attachment 1) which outlines the SCAC's work plan for the next four years. The 2019 SCAC Program Activity budget was $60,000 and the Program Administration budget was $11,000. The SCAC activities and events during 2019 are outlined in Attachment 2.

Some of the highlights from 2019 include:

• Cherry Blossom Festival, April -for the first time the SCAC participated in the Cherry Blossom Festival. The booth featured a photo gallery of relationship milestones with VVakayarna,Japan.

• Richmond-Wakayama Student Exchange, May- 36 students and eight adults from Richmond travelled to VVakayama, Japan for the annual Richmond-VVakayma student exchange. The students participated in a homestay with local families and visited local schools.

• Steveston Salmon Festival, July- 50 volunteers participated in the parade including the Taiko 55 drummers, VVakayama school exchange students and Richmond community volunteers.

• Inaugural Book Club, July- the Sister City Advisory Committee and the Richmond Public Library partnered for the first annual "One Book, Three Cities" book club. This event featured residents from Richmond, Qingdao and Xiamen who read the "Life of Pi" by Y ann Martel and participated in a number of events throughout the summer, including an online discussion forum and an event facilitated by the author Y ann Martel. The books from the book club were donated to the Richmond School District No. 38.

• Qingdao Art display, October- from October 15 to 31, 2019, art from local artists in Qingdao, China was displayed in the atrium of Richmond City Hall as part of the Sister City Program, in partnership with the Richmond Art Gallery. The art was donated to the City of Richmond.

• Inaugural Bookmark Collection, October- the SCAC released the first bookmark collection titled the "Skyline Scenery Bookmark Collection". These bookmarks will be distributed at local community events and will be used as gifts for delegations with Richmond's sister and friendship cities.

• French Immersion Pen Pal Program, November- 48 elementary school students corresponded in French for a French Immersion pen pal program with Pierrefonds, Quebec. The Sister City Advisory Committee facilitated the connection and provided an oversized post card featuring iconic Richmond scenery.

Looking ahead to 2020

VVork is well underway for Sister City Program activities on 2020. Highlights for 2020 include:

• Opening celebration of the Richmond Gardens in Pierrefonds, Quebec in spring; • Two sports exchange activities- a girls softball team is travelling to VVakayama for a

tournament and a VV akayama Judo team is visiting Richmond;

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February 14, 2020 - 4-

• From the success of the 2019 book club, all five sister and friendship cities have pre­committed to the 2020 summer reading book club with the "One Book, Five Cities Book Club"; and

• Exploring active living and connected community activities with other Council advisory bodies, Richmond Public Library & Richmond School Board.

Financial Impact

None.

Conclusion

The SCAC 2019-2022 Four Year Activity Plan provides a structure to deliver events and activities to further strengthen the existing sister and friendship city relationships. 2019 marked the S~f:?st active year to date and the plan is to continue this momentum into 2020.

/'( \j cWL~~, J ' '"------'

"' Mike Romas Manager, People Development (604-276-4081)

MR:mr

Att. 1: SCAC 2019-2022 Four Year Activity Plan 2: SCAC 2019 Year in Review

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ATTACHMENT 2

~mond,_ _ _______ S_i_st_e_r C_____,ity'---A_d_v_is_o~ry_C_o_m_m_i_tte_e_-_20_1_9_Y_e_a_r _ln_K_e_v_le_w

City of Richmond

Sister City Advisory Committee 2019 Year in Review

2019 Summary: The Sister City Advisory Committee (SCAC) manages the relationships with three official Sister Cities: Pierrefonds, Quebec (since 1967), Wakayama, Japan (since 1973), and Xiamen, China (since 2012); as well as one Friendship City: Qingdao, China (since 2008). Information from various SCAC activities and events are outlined in the following pages.

2019 Committee Members:

Chair Vice Chair, Pierrefonds Vice-Chair, Wakayama Vice-Chair, Qingdao Vice-Chair, Xiamen Members

Council Liaison

School Board Liaison

City of Richmond 6401217

Lisa MacNeil Ed Gavsie Glenn Kishi Melissa Zhang Helen Quan Seemah Aaron Allen Chan Charan Gill Bemard Loh Ihsan Malik KimNg Polly Tang

Councillor Linda McPhail

Heather Larson Donna Sargent (Altemate)

GP - 30

~nnond~ ________________ S_i_st_e_rC~ity~A_d_v_is_o~ry_C_o_m_m_i_tte_e_-__ 20_1_9_Y_e_a_r_in_R_e_v_ie __ w

2019 Sister City Relationship Highlights

January • Newly appointed SCAC members were introduced at the first meeting in January.

Back: Melissa Zhang, Glenn Kishi, Allen Chan, Heather Larson, Ed Gavsie, Bernard Loh Front: Seemah Aaron, Helen Quan, Kim Ng, Polly Tang, Lisa MacNeil, Councillor Linda McPhail,

lhsan Malik, Charan Gill

• The SCAC elected the Chair and Vice-Chairs for Pierrefonds, Wakayama Qingdao and Xiamen sub-committees and selected members to the following sub­committees:

o Pierrefonds Sub-Committee;

o Wakayama Sub-Committee;

o Qingdao Sub-Committee; and

o Xiamen Sub-Committee.

City of Richmond 6401217

2 GP - 31

~mond, _________ S_i_st_e_r C___,ity'-A_d_v_is_o--<.ry_C_o_m_m_i_tte_e_-_ 20_1_9_Y_e_a_r _in_R_e_v_ie_w

February • Richmond City Council and the Sister City Advisory Committee sent New Year's

greetings to Richmond's Sister City Xiamen and Friendship City Qingdao, China on February 5, 2019.

Richmond City Council New Year Greeting SCAC New Year Greeting

• Members of the Sister City Advisory Committee welcomed a business delegation from Wakayama, Japan from on February 14, 2019. Local Japanese products were displayed at the Cultural Centre from February 13 to 28, 2019.

Left: Japanese products on display; Right: Delegation from Wakayama, Japan

City of Richmond 6401217

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~nnond~ __________________ S_is_t_er_C_i~ty_A_d_v_is_or~y_C_o_m_m_it_te_e_-_2_0_1_9_Y_e_a_ri_n_R_e_vi_e_w

• The Sister City Advisory Committee celebrated its 451h anniversary of the Committee.

Since the inception of this committee in February 197 4 the objectives of the Sister City Program remain the same:

• Carry out a continuing program of cultural exchanges • Emphasize student and athletic exchange for the benefit of youth • Promote a better understanding of our cultures and ways of life.

Signing Ceremony Pierrefonds, Quebec (1967) and Wakayama, Japan (1973)

Signing Ceremony Qingdao, China (2008) and Xiamen, China (2012)

April • On April 7, 2019 SCAC members participated in the Cherry Blossom Festival, held

among the Akebono cherry blossom trees at Garry Point Park in Steveston. The booth featured a photo gallery of relationship milestones with Wakayama, Ja

~llld

City of Richmond 6401217

Left: Bookmark front Center: Sister City Booth Right: Bookmark back

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~mond _ ________ S_i_st_e_r C_ i-'-ty_A_d_v_is_o--<.ry_C_o_m_m_i_tte_e_-_ 20_1_9_Y_e_a_r _in_R_e_v_ie_w

May • From May 13 to 26, 2019, 36 students and 8 adults from Richmond travelled to

Wakayama, Japan for the annual Richmond-Wakayama student exchange. The City of Richmond is a financial sponsor of this trip. The students participated in a homestay with local families in Wakayama and visited local schools. In addition to their stay in Wakayama students travelled to Nara, Arashiyama, Katsuragawa River, Kiyomizu, Okayama, Yakage, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Tokyo, and Jato.

The Richmond-Wakayama exchange has a rich history of over 45 years of exchanges. This program continues because of the strong ties made by students and teachers who participate in these exchanges.

Students and teachers from Richmond, BC and Wakayama, Japan

Students learning Japanese dancing and playing the Koto instrument

City of Richmond 6401217

5 GP - 34

~rnond ____________________ S_is_te_r_C_it~y_A_d_v_is_o~ry_C_o_m __ m_it_te_e_-_2_0_1_9_Y_e_a_r_in __ R_e_vi_ew_

June • On June 4, 2019, the Richmond-Wakayama Student Exchange was featured on the

City of Richmond's Facebook page. This is the first time the Sister City Program has been featured on social media and highlights sustained efforts made by the Committee to increase the program's reach to the residents of Richmond.

City of Richmond • Local Government 13 tlrs 0

•••

Tne annual sctrool excl1ange l·.'itll tne City ol Wa kayama, Japan. a Sister City to Richmond, took pr'ace in May

Tn.is yea~ 36 students .from Burnett, Palmer and teveston -London secondary scl1ools visitecf ~·Vakayama . Tnan.v. ym to tlie Wa l,...ayama Sclwol Distnct for IJeing sucr1 a great ,IJost.

For more info rm ation on our Sister Cities ~ris it

l"l"W ricl1mond ca/drscoverlabout/sr'StercJt)'labout ,'Jtm . 8

City of Richmond 6401217

You and 57 others

City of Richmond post on Facebook

12 Shares

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~nnon~ __________________ S_is_te_r_C_i~ty_A_d_v_is_o~ry_C_o_m_m __ itt_e_e _- _2_0_19 __ Y_e_ar_i_n_R_e_vi_e_w

July • On July 1, 2019, the SCAC participated in the Steveston Salmon Festival. Fifty

volunteers participated in the parade including the Taiko 55 Drummers, Wakayama school exchange students and Richmond community volunteers.

Sister City Advisory Committee entry to the Steveston Salmon Festival Parade

Taiko 55 Drummers in the SCAC entry to the Steveston Salmon Festival

City of Richmond 6401217

7 GP - 36

~nnond, ____________________ S_is_te_r_C_it~y_A_d_v_is_o~ry~C __ om __ m_it_te_e_-__ 20_1_9_Y_e_a_r_in __ R_e_vi_e_w

• On July 4, 2019, the Sister City Advisory Committee and the Richmond Public Library partnered for the first annual "One Book, Three Cities" book club. This event featured residents from Richmond, Qingdao and Xiamen who read the "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and participated in a number of events throughout the summer, including an online discussion forum.

Rich me

Join the conve rsation and cele brate Contr1buto to c-ultur,:a1 cxc:hang-:: Yann Ma rte l's Lifo of Pi t h is s umm e r. and engage w1th other n:ade:s

• Come to the launch event on July 4 'h Sutt~blc fur t('l<: ns .1nd J.du Its

• Partt ct ~atf.• '" a n on line boo k For mor~ tr•k"~rmatton , v~::.1t any d tscusston hbr.Jry br,Jnch or c.1ll

• Attend w~ek ly programs co~t 231 G4n

.. r ...,/'' ''.'

Opening Ceremony at the launch event for the "One Book, Three Cities" book club

City of Richmond 6401217

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~nnondL _________________ S~i~st~e_r ~C~ity~A_d~v_is~o~ry~C~o~m~m~itt~ee~--2~01~9_Y_e~a~r~in~R~e~v~ie~w

August • On August 1, 2019, Yann Martel, the author of the "Life of Pi", visited the Richmond

Public Library to facilitate a discussion and meet with book club readers. In addition, Mr. Martel participated in the online discussion forum to engage with readers in China and signed translated copies of his book for book club participants in China.

'-"'the~ ... ~ ... YWV\.....,.,...U..., • .,.........., • c ...... rtr.e~.._. .. ,...."'.

- ~ ........ Oftllrle .... --.~ ................

Yann Martel presentation and signing at the "One Book, Three Cities" book club

City of Richmond 6401 217

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~nnondu ____________________ S_is_te_r_C_it~y_A_d_v_is~o~ry~C~o_m __ m_it_te_e_-_2_0_1_9_Y_e_a_r_in __ R_e_vi_e_w

Yann Martel presentation and signing at the "One Book, Three Cities" book club

City of Richmond 6401217

10 GP - 39

~nnondL_ ________________ S_i_st_e_rC~ity~A_d_v_is_o~ry_C_o_m_m_i_tt_ee_-__ 20_1_9_Y_e_a_r_in_R_e_v_ie __ w

• On August 2, 2019, students from Mia, Japan met with Acting Mayor Harold Steves and Councillor Bill McNulty at Richmond City Hall. The students were presenting a film at Vancouver's Powell Street Festival.

Acting Mayor Harold Steves addressing students from Mio, Japan with Councillor Bill McNulty

• On August 20 and 21 an economic delegation from Wakayama, Japan met with a local grocery store and members from the Sister City Advisory Committee.

• On August 30 and 31, 2019, the Sister City Advisory Committee hosted a booth at the Richmond World Festival to promote the Sister City Program to the community. The booth featured display boards with information about the Sister City Program and each of Richmond's sister city relationships and an interactive question board asking the community "What activities would like to participate in with Richmond's Sister Cities?" and "What book should we read for the next book club?".

City of Richmond 6401217

Richmond World Fest Sister City Program booth display

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~nnond~ __________________ S_is_te_r_C_i~ty_A_d_v_is_o~ry~C __ om __ m_it_te_e_-__ 20_1_9_Y_e_a_r_i_n_R_e_v_ie __ w

September • On September 7, 2019, the summer reading program concluded, ending the wildly

successful "One Book, Three Cities" book club. This program was so well received; each of Richmond's Sister City relationships has expressed an interest in participating in 2020.

SUMMER 2019 filj INASNAPSHO

MOST POPULAR BOOKS

• Ttnnk you 10 much I )' creatrng

~urnmE:-r prograrus. We real ltloved ,r of them (codrng, min~rafi..

ch~ vwiting ,...,c.rl<shops) Writrr,g ......orkst'lr ps aret<- in•po•tant tcour farr<~;yl it hr,lrs ;;a bt and I-Re~ 1-:id~ sto.~ inLerE;>..ted Thank you br the

Summer Reading Snapshot

Mayor Malcolm Brodie speaking at the conclusion of the summer reading series.

Congratulations to all of our Summer Reading Club and One Book, Three Cities participants for a fantastic summer of reading and discussion.

A special thank you to award-winning author Yann Martel for visiting RPL to talk about his book "Life of Pi ".

City of Richmond 640121 7

Join us in 2020!

12 GP - 41

~nnondL_ _________________ S_is_t_er_C_i~ty_A_d_v_is~o~ry~C_o_m __ m_itt_e_e_-_2_0_1_9_Y_e_ar_i_n_R_e_v_ie_w

October • From October 15 to 31, 2019, art from local artists in Qingdao, China was displayed

in the atrium of Richmond City Hall as part of the Sister City Program, in partnership with the Richmond Art Gallery. The art was donated to the City of Richmond.

Artwork on display from Qingdao, China

• The SCAC released the first bookmark collection titled the "Skyline Scenery Bookmark Collection". These bookmarks will be distributed at local community events and will be used as gifts for delegations with Richmond's sister and friendship cities.

City of Richmond 6401217

Skyline Scenery Bookmark Collection

~mond

Our sister cities

Pierrefonds, Quebec since July 29, 19G7

Wakayama, Japan stn,:e July 16, 1973

Xiamen, China s1nce Apnl 2 7 20 12

Our friendship

city Qlngdao, China ~ tnLe Apnl 2 1 20Nt

City of Richmond

13 GP - 42

~nnond~----------------S_i_st_e_rC~ity_A_d_v_is_o~ry_C_o_m_m_i_tte_e_-__ 20_1_9_Y_e_a_r_in_R_e_v_ie __ w

November • In November 2019, 48 elementary school students corresponded in French for a

French Immersion pen pal program with Pierrefonds, Quebec. The Sister City Advisory Committee facilitated the connection and provided an oversized post card featuring iconic Richmond scenery.

N3mQ(Nom): -------------City of Richmond, British Columbia

Schoo1(Ecol• l -------------

Postcard for French Immersion Pen Pal Program

• On November 1, 2019, a China Fair for International Trade (CFIT) delegation from Xiamen visited Richmond's Olympic Oval and met with Councillor Chak Au and members of the SCAC.

CFIT Delegation Visit to Richmond Olympic Oval

December • The SCAC had its final meeting where the Committee scored each of the

Sister/Friendship cities participation over the past year. All cities achieved a highly engaged score on the Sister City Program's annual relationship scorecard.

City of Richmond 6401217

14 GP - 43