Office of the Secretary of StateInternational Affairs

Subcabinet for International Affairs

Mission: Encourages open communication and collaboration among Maryland State agencies, international coalitions and the Governor’s Office.

Maryland Sister States Program

• Affiliated with Sister Cities International• Volunteer-based citizen diplomacy

network • Promotes exchanges, fosters cultural

awareness and maintains diplomatic connections

• Anhui Province, China, 1980 • Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, 1981• Nord-Pas de Calais, France, 1981• Walloon Region, Belgium, 1989• Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea,1991

• City of St. Petersburg/ Leningrad Oblast, Russia,

1993• Lodz Region, Poland, 1993

• State of Jalisco, Mexico, 1993

• State of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 1999

• Bong and Maryland Counties, Liberia,• 2007

No financial support from the State

Funded through grants, fundraisers, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind contributions

More than 150 volunteers from institutions,

businesses and organizations Membership is free and bipartisan Advisory Board of Directors meets quarterly Operates under the auspices of the

Annapolis Community Foundation** As our fiscal agent, ACF offers donors the benefits of a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization

Hosting International Delegations

• Medical/Nursing Exchange • Environmental Training • Programs for Local Government Officials• High School Student and Teacher Exchanges

Other Activities

• Support for Establishment of Rural Libraries

• Rule of Law Program

• Sister States International Film Festival

• Youth Sailing Races

• Lacrosse Coaching

Some of Past Partners

• World Trade Center Institute, Baltimore• Maryland Department of Business and

Economic Development• Open World Program, Library of Congress• Sister Cities International • Rotary International • Governor’s Office on Community Initiatives

Get Involved! Opportunities are only limited by your

desired level of involvement.

– Volunteer– Host a Delegation or Event– Sponsor an Exchange– Donate In-Kind Services

For more information contactMs. Mendy Nitsch, Director

International Affairs, Office of the Secretary of State, The Jeffery Building

16 Francis Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401

mnitsch@sos.state.md.us410-260-3865

1-888-974-0013 (toll free)

http://www.sos.state.md.us/International/index.htm