Lynnwood Confirms New Friendship City Relationship with Ethiopian Boro
Published on January 25, 2021
Lynnwood Confirms New Friendship City Relationship with Ethiopian Borough
New Friendship City is with Bole Kefle Ketema, Wereda 10, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
On Thursday, January 7th, Mayor Nicola Smith and Council Member Julieta Altamirano-Crosby participated in a virtual Friendship City Ceremony with Bole Kefle Ketema Wereda 10, which is a borough or sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“Lynnwood is one of the most diverse communities in Washington State,” stated Wally Webster, Board Member of the Lynnwood Sister City Association. “The Lynnwood Sister and Friendship Cities relationships are one of the best ways to appreciate, value, and celebrate the various cultures in our community. The better we understand and accept our cultural differences, the better we can live together in this Welcoming City.”
It was a great honor to be joined by the Honorable Emeru Fenta Kelbeessa, Leader of Kefle Ketema, Wereda 10. We were also joined by Lynnwood residents and members of the Habesha Community Center, Selam Habte, Rahel Schwartz and Ermias Merid. With this Friendship City Relationship we hope to create a more culturally integrated society and foster the opportunity for communities in both cities to share ideas that will advance cultural understanding, appreciation and respect for others.
"My staff and I are committed to promoting diversity in our community," stated Mayor Nicola Smith. "Three years ago, we identified safe, welcoming and livable city as one of our top five priorities. I am honored to join in a friendship relationship with Kefle Ketema, Wereda 10. I’m looking forward to working with the Honorable Emeru Fenta Kelbeessa, and members of the Habesha Community Center to learn how we can help support our Ethiopian neighbors in Lynnwood."
Friendship City Ceremony: Top row, left to right: Lynnwood Communications & Public Affairs Officer Julie Moore, Executive Assistant and Sister City Liaison Leah Jensen, Sister City Committee Member Wally Webster. Middle row, left to right: Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith, Habesha Community Center Vice Chair Rahel Schwartz, and Lynnwood City Council Member Julieta Altamirano-Crosby. Bottom row, left to right: Habesha Community Center Chair Selam Habte, and streaming from Ethiopia, Habesha Community Member Ermias Merid (off screen) and the Honorable Emeru Fenta Kelbeessa.
Learn more about Lynnwood's Sister City and Friendship City Program: www.LynnwoodWA.gov/SisterCity
Contact:
Julie Moore, Public Affairs Officer
jmoore@LynnwoodWA.gov