International Relations Success Story
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City of Pembroke Pines
Years before Pembroke Pines became the ninth best "racially integrated" city in the nation in 2002 (Associated Press Census 2000 Analysis), the effort to create international economic and cultural ties to cities abroad had begun.
In 1996, Pembroke Pines Mayor Alex Fekete and an informal delegation traveled to Astrakhan, Russia, at the invitation of its appointed mayor, Igor Bezrukavnikov. The 438-year-old city was conducting its first democratic election and Fekete believed the delegation could play a small role to help Bezrukanikov's campaign.
The week-long visit in Astrakhan was spent touring factories and other businesses because Bezrukanikov was looking for economic help for his city of 500,000, along with some positive exposure to his people. He wanted to stimulate trade between his city and Pembroke Pines, and find educational and cultural opportunities for the two cities.
Mayor Fekete returned to the U.S. determined to help Astrakhan through economic or humanitarian means. The effort to develop trade with Astrakhan was hampered by a number of reasons, the most troubling being Astrakhan's struggling local economy. Without state revenues, businesses in Astrakhan were virtually on their own and the road to "capitalism" for many Russians was imposing if not impossible.
However, a humanitarian effort could be launched. The visit had revealed a deteriorating health care system - Astrakhan's hospitals were in dire need of medical equipment. Fekete contacted his county's hospitals and within weeks, 4,000 pounds of used medical equipment and supplies were donated, collected and shipped to Astrakhan.
Pembroke Pines has yet to finalize a working economic program to a foreign city, but it has hosted numerous cultural and diplomatic events:
Cesar Greca, the Minister of Commerce for the city of Villaguay, Argentina, visited Pembroke Pines for a reception and tour. Cesar was accompanied by Guillermo Lizasoain, the information technology administrator of Villaguay. Both cities looked into possible economic opportunities.
Pembroke Pines hosted a performance of the Villaguay Student Folkloric Dancers as part of a student exchange program.
Pembroke Pines hosted a fund raiser for 10 children who suffered from radiation exposure at Chernobyl. (The children came to Florida to receive treatment and rehabilitation). The entertainers, also visitors, were Professor Yury Tkanov, the Viola Chair at the Moscow State Conservatory of Music, and his wife, pianist, Elena Nikitenko, also of the Moscow Conservatory.
Three Russian elected officials attended a luncheon hosted by Pembroke Pines and the Broward (County) Economic Development Board for the purpose of trade ties, education and cultural relationships.
Mayor Fekete arranged for Astrakhan's School of Gifted Children to start a letter exchange with foreign language students at Pembroke Pines' high school.
Mayor Marie Y. Joseph of Boucan-Carre, Haiti, visited Fekete to establish a sister-city relationship.
In a cooperative effort with Israeli, Puerto Rican, Caribbean, African and Latin Chambers of Commerce, Fekete hosted a seminar on world trade via the Internet for more than 100 Pembroke Pines business leaders.
The mayor is currently establishing a citywide international relations committee of Pembroke Pines business leaders in the import-export fields, as well as individuals with educational and cultural interests.
"International relations come in many forms", said Mayor Fekete. "You just have to be open minded, don't always expect an immediate economic boon or opportunity. Economic ties can occur after establishing some simple cultural or educational visits. All enrich our communities," concluded the mayor.
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| Click here for the news story 'Pines mayor uses influence' |
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| Click here for the news story 'Russians call upon Pembroke Pines' |
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