Bridging Nations Through Citizen Diplomacy
Fostering peace and permanent relationships through municipal partnerships in Russia, the Middle East, and the United States.
Who We Are
Citizen Diplomacy Initiatives (CDI) is dedicated to promoting diplomacy through municipal relations. Since our first major partnership with Novorossiysk in 1982, we have facilitated over 75 relationships, placing us in a unique position to connect counterparts for collaborative projects. We believe that when people lead, barriers fall.
Key Initiatives
Multilateral Sister Cities
- The Concept: We pair Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian cities with U.S. cities to create trilateral and multilateral relationships.
- The Goal: To create a platform for dialogue and participation that fosters permanent connections.
• • Key Project: Jordan Valley Sister Cities — A platform dedicated to these vital partnerships.
Citizen Diplomacy Tours
- The Concept: Expanding travel opportunities between the U.S. and the Middle East.
- The Goal: To give individuals the chance to participate in Citizen Diplomacy, learn about new cultures, and build life-long friendships.
Media & Education (“When the People Lead”)
- The Concept: Producing and promoting documentaries that showcase the possibilities of peace.
- The Goal: To inspire countless people by documenting real interactions between local officials, artists, and citizens across conflict zones.
Ongoing Projects & Initiatives
Building Peace Over Water in the Lower Jordan Valley: A Sister Cities Coalition
When The People Lead – Featurette Trailer
“From the height of the Cold War to the complexities of the Middle East, history has taught us that when the people lead, barriers fall. We believe that trilateral sister city programs and citizen diplomacy initiatives offer the best chance for creating genuine, trusting relationships among Israeli, Palestinian, and American communities. Where political channels may struggle, personal connection succeeds.”
— Steve Kalishman, Co-Founder, Citizen Diplomacy Initiatives
Our History & Impact
1982: The Cold War Era
Breaking the Ice: Founders Steve Kalishman and Paul S. Rothstein convinced the Gainesville City Commission to partner with the Soviet city of Novorossiysk. This sparked a movement of over 200 U.S./Soviet city pairings, contributing to the thawing of relations during the Cold War.
1997: The First Trilateral Relationship
A New Paradigm: Gainesville, FL joined with Kfar Saba (Israel) and Qalqilya (Palestine) to seek assistance for a water treatment plant. This event established the first trilateral sister city relationship, proving that municipal cooperation can succeed even when national bilateral relationships struggle.
2011: The Delegation
When the People Lead: A delegation led by Dr. Manal Fakoury, Steve Kalishman, and Paul S. Rothstein traveled to the Middle East with city officials and artists. An Israeli film crew captured over 50 hours of encounters for a feature-length documentary, demonstrating the power of human connection.
Our Partners
