This summer, Joan welcomed to the Alliance a young French couple on the ambitious mission of visiting all of Nice's Sister Cities around the world. An article detailing their adventures appeared in the July 16 Houston Chronicle. They were lodged by Roland and Marie-Ange Rouxel and Mrs. Pascale Venet, and Alliance Board members Dale Robertson and Steve Zimmerman took the time to meet the young travellers and entertain them during their stay in Houston. They also met with Charlie Pace, French teacher at Lanier Middle School, and discussed an exchange program with a school in Nice. Kathleen Silva, Sister Cities Coordinatoor and Protocol Officer of the Houston International Protocol Alliance was instrumental in coordinating their visit.
Plans are underway for a cultural exchange in the upcoming year centered on art, cuisine and wine.
Artists, chefs and vintners from Nice and the surrounding regions will be featured in a week-long celebration at L'Alliance Fran aise and La Colombe d'Or, followed by a similar celebration in Nice. The goal of the organization is to develop a mutual partnership to foster exchanges and programs on trade, education, culture, tourism and the arts with Houston's Sister City in France, Nice . Paul Charrin, former Alliance president and President and CEO at the time of Schlumberger, was the founding president of this organization over 30 years ago. Sister Cities of Houston Inc. is a member of Sister Cities International. The Houston International Protocol Alliance coordinates this program for the City of Houston, and acts as liaison.