CQUniversity's sponsorship of the Sister Cities Australia Annual Conference and Youth Program has helped to showcase the region to national and international participants.

The event opened this week at Rydges in Yeppoon, with the theme Real, Relevant and Rewarding.

Conference participants included the Queensland Governor and our Vice-Chancellor

It brought together Sister City Australia (SCA) members from around Australia as well as international delegates from USA, Korea, New Zealand, China and Japan to discuss common issues that affect their associations.

Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley AO provided the opening Keynote Address following an official welcome from Rockhampton Region Mayor Brad Carter.

Ms Wensley, who has 40 years of experience in international relations through her work in the diplomatic service, congratulated the Sister Cities organisation for fostering international friendships at the grass roots and for creating opportunities for business and community partnerships.

The SCA has an extensive network with around 500 partnerships around Australia and aims to provide a forum for cultural, economic and educational interchange between communities and to encourage friendship, co-operation and understanding to improve peaceful coexistence worldwide.

Ms Wensley said sister city relationships were a "web of communication between people from different cultures" and were a "formidable asset and advantage".

Youth delegates presenting their Wiki site to the conference

Mayor of Ibusuki Etsuo Toyodome joined Mayor Brad Carter and other VIPs at the conference which marked the 30^th anniversary of Rockhampton's sister city relationship with Ibusuki in Japan.

CQUniversity assisted conference organiser Rockhampton Regional Council and was well represented at the event.

Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman provided an insight into 'Engaging Communities' in his keynote address and lecturer Kylie Radel spoke about her research into Indigenous tourism.

Communications lecturers Kate Ames and Michelle Roberts provided a workshop for youth delegates, helping them to make a potentially boring message 'fun', using the recycling of waste as an example.

Lecturer Brendan Murphy also delivered a workshop for youth delegates, giving them the handy take-home skills needed to develop a Wiki site. The Wiki website was also used by the young delegates during the conference to host blogs, podcasts and suggestions.