Owensboro Sister Cities and Regions, Inc. (OSCAR) recently won two categories in the 2023 Sister Cities International Awards. Owensboro was one of only 12 U.S. cities to earn international recognition at the event and one of only two U.S. cities to be awarded in more than one category.
Owensboro won the Innovation in Youth and Education and Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance categories. According to a release, the national event highlights the achievements of sister cities nationwide and provides international recognition for each community’s contributions to the citizen diplomacy movement. Sister Cities International established the awards program in 1962.
The Innovation in Youth and Education Award was given for OSCAR’s efforts to host two youth exchanges in 2022: the Gymnasium Olomouc – Hejčín High School Students Exchange and the Czech Republic Campanella Children’s Choir Exchange.
The Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance Award was given for OSCAR’s efforts in establishing a relief fund to aid Ukrainian refugees in Olomouc who had been forced to flee their homes to escape the violence in their country.
Owensboro’s sister city Olomouc in the Czech Republic worked closely with its partner city of Chernivtsi, Ukraine, to provide humanitarian aid to the 50,000 Ukrainians who sought shelter at the refugee camp established at Chernivtsi University. Olomouc provided shelter to over 5,000 refugees, many of which were women with small children. OSCAR raised nearly $25,000, which was donated to the Faculty Primary School Komenium and Kindergarten in Olomouc to provide education to Ukrainian refugees.
