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Dr. Kawar is a clinical professor and board-certified periodontist. Highlights of her accomplishments include:
Join us on Friday, October 9th at the Field Museum to celebrate Dr. Kawar and the international community at World Business Chicago’s 2026 International Gala! Tickets will go on sale soon!
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Centered on the theme, A Community-Based Approach to Elevating Family Voices, Strength-Based Practice, and Complex Systems, the conference explored how child welfare, mental health, human trafficking, social justice, substance use, and immigration systems intersect in the lives of families. Through presentations, discussions, and collaborative learning, participants examined trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strength-based approaches to improving service delivery.
Attendees also had opportunities to earn continuing education credits, engage with exhibitors and vendors, and build cross-sector relationships with colleagues from both the United States and Germany.
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The visit also included a breakfast meeting with the Mayor of Osaka, providing an opportunity to strengthen dialogue and reinforce the longstanding friendship between Osaka and Chicago. Throughout the visit, the delegation was warmly received, with the support of Kimiyo Naka, Chair of the Osaka Committee of CSCI.
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]]>Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Consul General Charlotte Montel in recognizing the strong relationship between France and Chicago and the importance of continued collaboration. The event also commemorated 250 years of friendship between France and the United States and 30 years of the sister-city relationship between Paris and Chicago.
Photo credits: Peyton Reich/Mayor’s Press Office
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The event celebrated the richness of Lithuanian culture through traditional folk dance performances, educational workshops, lectures, cultural exhibitions, and community gatherings. Former President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė joined dignitaries from Lithuania and the United States in commemorating the occasion, while Archbishop Lionginas Virbalas celebrated a special Mass for festival attendees. The festival highlighted the cultural ties between Lithuania and the Lithuanian diaspora while reinforcing Chicago’s longstanding history with its Lithuanian community.
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This year’s Spirit of Nelson Mandela theme, “Making a Difference for Others: 67 Minutes of Service”, served as a global call to action encouraging people worldwide to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to community service and public good. The initiative honors Nelson Mandela, representing the 67 years he spent fighting for social justice, equality, and human rights.
The event included a youth essay contest reading, resource fair, book drive, food drive and live music. Read the winning essay here!
Tabling organizations included:
Photo Credits: City of Chicago, Patrick L. Pyszka
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Mayor Brandon Johnson met with the Consul General to discuss continued collaboration between the City of Chicago and the Consulate General of Ukraine, support for Chicago’s vibrant Ukrainian community, and preparations for events commemorating the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence. The Consul General also provided an update on the security situation in Ukraine and Kyiv, including the continued impact of Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Mayor Johnson reaffirmed Chicago’s solidarity with Ukraine and its people and underscored the City’s enduring commitment to the shared values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity.
The Consul General also met with World Business Chicago and Chicago Sister Cities International to explore opportunities to deepen economic collaboration through the Chicago 2050 vision, strengthen connections between Ukrainian and Chicago businesses, and expand investment and business development opportunities. The meeting also celebrated the enduring sister city relationship between Chicago and Kyiv and recognized the outstanding work of the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, including its donation of a generator to the International Center of Rehabilitation and Neurophysiology in Kyiv and its recent welcome of wounded Ukrainian soldiers to Chicago.
We look forward to continuing to strengthen this important partnership through economic development, cultural exchange, educational collaboration, and people-to-people connections.
If your company is interested in exploring business, investment, or expansion opportunities in Ukraine, we would be pleased to connect you with the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago.
Pictured: Consul General Kostiantyn Vorona with representatives from the City of Chicago, World Business Chicago, and Chicago Sister Cities International, including Vera Eliashevsky, Co-Chair of the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International.
Photo credits: Vashon Jordan Jr/Mayor’s Press Office
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Hosted by the Chicago Japanese American Council (CJAC), a coalition of 12 Japanese and Japanese American organizations, Japan Fest 26 featured traditional and contemporary performances, cultural exhibits, culinary experiences, and a variety of interactive activities that showcased the richness and diversity of Japanese culture.
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]]>The post Mayor Johnson Welcomes Pakistan Minister appeared first on Chicago Sister Cities.
]]>The discussion focused on strengthening the relationship between Chicago and Pakistan by expanding collaboration in business, technology, innovation, and higher education. The Minister shared his vision for advancing Pakistan’s long-term economic growth through investments in quality education, research, and innovation, and explored opportunities to build stronger connections between institutions and industries in Chicago and Pakistan.
Mayor Johnson reaffirmed Chicago’s commitment to building international partnerships that advance economic opportunity, innovation, and educational collaboration, while recognizing the important contributions of Chicago’s Pakistani community.
They were joined by the Honorable Zaman Mehdi, Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago, and Dr. Tariq Butt, Co-Chair of the Lahore Committee of CSCI. Chicago and Lahore have proudly shared an official sister city relationship since 1991, fostering decades of collaboration and people-to-people connections.
Chicago looks forward to building on these conversations and expanding collaboration that benefits both communities through education, innovation, and economic development.
Photo credits: Peyton Reich/Mayor’s Press Office
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