Medford Alba Sister City Association
A Nonprofit Organization
PO Box 8738, Medford, OR 97501
Donations Greatly Appreciated
Medford Alba Sister City Association
Alba, Italy . . . Perched on the Tanaro River south of Turin in Northwest Italy off the beaten tourist path . . . Set among the vineyards, castles, and mountains . . . Similar to Medford in its climate and geography. The cities are 9,175 kilometers (5,700 miles) apart.
The exchange is part of the Sister Cities International Program, an initiative that began under President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to encourage "people-to-people" citizen diplomacy. The organization represents more than 2,500 communities in 126 countries. In 1960, Medford and Alba became sister cities through a selection process by the international program, matching them according to similar size, geography, climate and economy, as both are regional centers in agricultural areas. Medford's population has grown since the 1960's to more than double that of Alba.
Student exchanges between Medford and Alba occurred sporadically between 1960 and 1985. In 1985 officials from both cities established a formal exchange program and since then, the exchange between the cities has occurred every 2 years. In March 2017, 30 students and 2 chaperones will visit Italy. In September 2015, Italian students chaperones will bevisited Medford.
The exchange is part of the Sister Cities International Program, an initiative that began under President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to encourage "people-to-people" citizen diplomacy. The organization represents more than 2,500 communities in 126 countries. In 1960, Medford and Alba became sister cities through a selection process by the international program, matching them according to similar size, geography, climate and economy, as both are regional centers in agricultural areas. Medford's population has grown since the 1960's to more than double that of Alba.
Student exchanges between Medford and Alba occurred sporadically between 1960 and 1985. In 1985 officials from both cities established a formal exchange program and since then, the exchange between the cities has occurred every 2 years. In March 2017, 30 students and 2 chaperones will visit Italy. In September 2015, Italian students chaperones will bevisited Medford.
Food for Thought Are Sister Cities Having a Moment?
US News and World Report released an article in mid-August that explores what we as citizen diplomats already know: Sister City relationships are becoming increasingly important in a time of increasing nationalism and political uncertainty. Learn more about the specific examples referenced in the article; like the relationship between Culver City, California and their Sister City Uruapan, Mexico; and share with your friends!
Annual Gianni Toppino-Pat Shute Memorial Scholarship
Winner to be announced in May
Gianni Toppino and Patricia Shute were founding members and enthusiastic life long supporters of the Medford Alba Sister City Association. Each embodied the vision of President Eisenhower as their rare gift of bringing people together ensured that the “gemellaggio” between the people of Alba and of Medford grew and flourished. This scholarship is offered in memory of Mr. Toppino and Mrs. Shute to perpetuate their belief in the powerful bonds of friendship. 2019 application will be available in the spring of 2019.
Gianni served as the mayor of Alba from 1972 to 1977 and during that time he made the sister city relationship with Medford a top priority. He, along with his wife, Pina, and their family have been an unwavering and enduring connection between Medford and Alba for more than 50 years. Gianni and then Medford Mayor John Snider helped to establish the sister city relationship between Alba and Medford in 1960. Both families have continued to grow and cherish the friendship through the generations. Gianni and Pina made several trips to Medford beginning in 1972 until 2002 and they went to great lengths to make sure that visitors from Medford were warmly welcomed, often opening their home! A particularly special moment in the 58-year old sister city relationship was in July 2012 when the two cities celebrated the 50th anniversary of the original TelStar satellite telephone call between mayors. The call was reenacted via Skype in front of an audience in both cities but due to Pina's heath, Gianni was not expected to participate. Everyone was thrilled and moved when Gianni unexpectedly joined the panel and spoke eloquently of the original call and the gemellaggio (twinning) between Alba and Medford.
Indeed the seeds of friendship cultivated by the Toppino’s have grown and flourished into thriving relationships spanning several generations and thousands of people in both in Alba and in Medford. This year marks the 33rd year of the Medford Alba student cultural exchanges and in March thirty Medford high school students will travel to Alba for 3-weeks. Without Gianni Toppino's vision almost 60 years ago, this would not have been possible.
Indeed the seeds of friendship cultivated by the Toppino’s have grown and flourished into thriving relationships spanning several generations and thousands of people in both in Alba and in Medford. This year marks the 33rd year of the Medford Alba student cultural exchanges and in March thirty Medford high school students will travel to Alba for 3-weeks. Without Gianni Toppino's vision almost 60 years ago, this would not have been possible.
Message from the Medford Alba Sister City Association Past President
Hello,I would like to welcome you to the Medford -Alba website. We are excited to share the history of our relationship with the greatest sister city in the world! Alba, Italy has been Medford's sister city since 1960. This long standing relationship and the bond that continues, is very special to the people of Medford and Alba. Over the years, the two cities have participated in numerous student exchanges, celebrated significant key events and most recently a group organized by the Medford Chamber visited Alba to have discussions regarded potential exchanges related to commerce. This, in addition to the dedication of walkways, streets, plaques and trees, has enabled our two cities to build upon the initial foundation that was laid before us in the 60's and 70's.
Over the last several years, our board and friends of Alba have been directly involved a number of activities. Our mission is to continue to honor our relationship with the city of Alba and inform our community about how wonderful Alba, Italy is and how one can get involved. We have created an annual event (Taste of Alba) to celebrate the bounty of Alba, dedicated pathways to the original Mayor's who made this partnership possible, established elementary school pen pals and much more! The momentum of our mission has never been stronger and we look forward to continuing to celebrate this unique and special bond between two great cities!
Thank you and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions,
Brent Barry, Former President
Medford Alba Association
Over the last several years, our board and friends of Alba have been directly involved a number of activities. Our mission is to continue to honor our relationship with the city of Alba and inform our community about how wonderful Alba, Italy is and how one can get involved. We have created an annual event (Taste of Alba) to celebrate the bounty of Alba, dedicated pathways to the original Mayor's who made this partnership possible, established elementary school pen pals and much more! The momentum of our mission has never been stronger and we look forward to continuing to celebrate this unique and special bond between two great cities!
Thank you and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions,
Brent Barry, Former President
Medford Alba Association
Introduction To Sister City Program |
Mariagrazia Galliano - 1991 from Cody Stover on Vimeo. |
May 22, 2014 Five on 5
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