Our recent events

1. Alberta/Japan Twinned Municipalities Association - Conference

May 4-5, 2012

Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society attended the Annual Conference of the A/JTMA in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

The Lethbridge Okinawin Cultural Society had representatives at the conference as well. Harold's term as President of the A/JTMA was up at this conference. Newly elected President, Robert Twerdoclib of Stony Plain.

Please, click here for Lethbridge Twinning Society Annual Report and A/JTMA President's Annual Report 2012 on the Alberta/Japan Twinned Municipalities Association (A/JTMA) Conference - 2012.









2. The "Ice Breaker Road Race" in Great Falls, Montana.

April 22, 2012

Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society attended the race once again. (Our 7th year in a row)! Once again, Bob Harris was there to meet and greet us and make us feel very welcome. Thanks Bob.

This year, the weather was great resulting in a very good turnout for all the races. Over 3,600 participated. This year, Canada ruled! The Men's 5 mile race was won by a fellow from Calgary (29 minutes - 29 seconds) and a female also from Calgary won the Ladies 5 mile race (29 minutes - 30 seconds).

Come and join us for our trip down next year to the 34th annual "Ice Breaker Road Race".











3. TRI-LATERAL YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROJECT - LETHBRIDGE

April 28, 2012





July 18 to August 07, 2012 will undoubtably be an unforgettable experience for three high school students from Lethbridge who will be participating in the 2012 Youth Ambassador Program. We welcome Camilla, Jocelyn and Abigail to the Lethbridge Twinning Society. They go forth representing not only our Society, but Lethbridge - Alberta and Canada. The Lethbridge students will join with three students from Vernon and three students from Vancouver to form the Canadian delegation. The Youth Ambassador program is made possible through a grant from the US Department of State and administered by Sister Cities International, Washington, DC.

Please read the recent newspaper article from the Lethbridge, Herald as below linked.
Students to attend Ambassador Program, Hometown News, Southern Alberta






4. THE BENCH IS IN!

March 25, 2012

We are very pleased to report the completion of the park bench project in remembrance of Betty Reimer. Betty, of course being a Charter member of the Lethbridge Twinning Society, is saddly missed by all. Specific donations received for the bench made it possible to have this bench become a reality. The next time you are passing by the walking path at Henderson Lake, take a minute to cross over at the tennis court area on the North side. You will see,"Betty's Bench" there waiting for you. The bench is uniquely positioned with a grand view of Henderson Lake. As well, the bench can be seen from the Reimer home, specifically from the window where Betty used to sit.

Thank you for your donations towards this project.




Dick Reimer sits upon Betty's Bench



5. Lethbridge Twinning Society delegate, Jeannie Goossens rises to ask Consul-General Fukuda a question regarding the floating mass of post tsunami debris that is scheduled to reach the North American coast line this year.

March 05, 2012





On March 05, 2012, Duane Bratt, President of the Calgary Branch of the Canadian International Council hosted a forum featuring Consul-General for Japan – Calgary , Susumu Fukuda. Consul-General Fukuda's presentation centered on the March 11, 2011 earthquake in the Fukushima region of Japan . The quake is now referred to as the "Great East Japan Earthquake".

A delegation from the Lethbridge Twinning Society attended the presentation. Various other organizations and invited guests (including a Dr. in Nuclear Physics) were in attendance.

Consul-General Fukuda expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of his country for the world wide relief efforts following the event. He mentioned the 5 Million dollar donation made by the Province of Alberta , and the other donations received by his office from various sources. The Lethbridge Twinning Society undertook a donation project. We have forwarded the funds raised directly to the Towada City, Japan administration.

The presentation highlighted several astonishing developments in the reconstruction of the ravaged regions. The infrastructure is practically rebuilt and strategies are in place to encourage resettling along with incentives for building in the area. Taxes have been relaxed and visa requirements are being lighted with extended periods of stays being allowed.

The presentation, questions and response from the audience were all positive, it was an encouraging evening.


6. Cultural Forum - 2012

February 24 & 25, 2012

On February 24 and 25 Cultural Forum 2012 was hosted in Red Deer by Alberta Culture and Community Services Minister Heather Klimchuk. Minister of International Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations, Cal Dallas was in attendance and spoke during the opening ceremony. It was certainly encouraging when Premier Redford spoke, she had stressed the importance of all the Government Departments and Ministries working together in collaboration. A forum of this magnitude was the first ever, with nearly 400 community leaders from across Alberta representing a wide spectrum of cultural interests.

Harold Pereverseff was invited to the forum representing the Lethbridge Twinning Society, however there were information tables set out. Information on the Lethbridge Twinning Society as well as the A/JTMA was displayed. (Picture of Hon. MLA Klimchuk was taken in front of the A/JTMA display.)

The plenary sessions and networking during the two days permitted excellent opportunities for sharing the "Twinning Vision and Mission ". There was a lot of interest in twinning relationships and for many it was the first time they became aware of our existence.

It was an honour and a pleasure to be invited to the forum. To be able to participate in such a dynamic environment was amazing. The key elements of the forum, "Explore, Educate, Evolve and Engage" were certainly timely and challenging.

Huge kudos to Hon. MLA Klimchuk and Alberta Culture and Community Services!









7. Lethbridge's Student Ambassadors

February 10, 2012



The Lethbridge Twinning Society is working with Sister Cities International to promote peace, harmony and friendship among cities in Canada and cities in the United States and Mexico.

Last year, the Tri-Lateral Youth program saw students from Kingston, Ontario, Burnaby, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta exchange with their sister cities in Tempe, Arizona, Mesa, Arizona and Phoenix, Arizona. This year, the program runs with Vancouver, British Columbia, Vernon, British Columbia and Lethbridge, Alberta with their twin cities, Los Angeles, California, Modesto, California and Culver City, California.

Lethbridge Twinning Society President, Harold Pereverseff was selected in 2010 to work with Sister Cities International in Washington DC. The role he plays is "Country Co-ordinator Canada". 2011 was the very first time that Canadians participated in the program, and it was a huge success. The program is ramping up for 2012.

Three students and one chaperone from Lethbridge will be selected to participate in this unique opportunity. Not only do the Canadian students visit their sister city for two weeks in July, the last week of the three week program sees them visiting Washington, DC. The students are involved in plenary sessions along with students from the rest of Canada, California and Mexico. The students range in ages from 15 to 17. The students last year returned home, energized and ready to tackle the world as true "Youth Ambassadors". This is all with thanks to Sister Cities International and the US Department of State who sponsor the entire program.

During the program, students discuss common issues that exist in their communities, economy, social issues,poverty, homelessness and environmental concerns. Some of the program is directly "hands on". Last year the hands on aspect had a huge positive impact of the students.

Students are encouraged to consider a project when they return home, something related to what they had learned during the three week program.

We will keep you posted on the students selected to be Lethbridge's Student Ambassadors.

Please see: Youth Ambassador Program: Trilateral North America