Some of our County leaders took a trip across the world to meet with officials from our Sister City. Community Affairs Executive Director Dr. Henry Ficklin and Office of Small Business Affairs (OSBA) Director Charise Stephens traveled to Macon, France on July 11.  

The purpose of the trip was to renew the longstanding Sister City relationship with Macon, France, which marked a 50-year period of the relationship. There was a ceremony which was called the renewal of the Twinning of Cities. The original Sister Cities International agreement was entered in 1972 when Ronnie Thompson was Mayor of Macon. 

“Citizen diplomacy is important to keep the world at peace,” said Dr. Ficklin. “It is important to learn of different people and their cultures because it assures that less hate would be spread in the world, and we will be closer to the ideal situation of peace on earth.” 

Dr. Ficklin and Stephens met with the Mayor of Macon, France, Jean-Patrick Courtois, the Vice Mayor Emilie Clerc, members of the administrative staff, and the Twinning Cities Representative for American cities, Agnes Pont. 

There were also people from the delegation from Portugal, who expressed an interest in becoming a Sister City of Macon, Georgia, says Dr. Ficklin. Their city is Santo Tirso, Portugal and they were there to celebrate 30 years as a Sister City of Macon, France. 

“I think the most important thing taken away from the trip is the knowledge that all people want to live in peace and relate to the world in a way that promotes humanity and good will,” said Dr. Ficklin.