Fort Worth Welcomes America's World Expo Youth Ambassadors
Fort Worth had the honor of hosting the official Sister Cities International training for 89 Youth Ambassadors preparing to represent the United States at the World Expo USA Pavilion in Osaka, Japan.
The group reflected the breadth of the country: young leaders from 47 states who collectively spoke 22 languages. Before welcoming visitors from around the world, they needed more than information about an exhibit. They needed experiences that would strengthen their leadership, cultural awareness, and ability to represent a diverse nation with confidence and humility.
Fort Worth became part of that preparation. The Youth Ambassadors learned from civic and national leaders, explored local history and culture, and experienced the hospitality our city is known for. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Los Vaqueros Restaurant, Joe T. Garcia’s, and Billy Bob’s Texas helped turn their training into something memorable.
Special thanks to the U.S. Department of State, Estela Martinez-Stuart, CTA, Ambassador Tom Schieffer, Secretary Pete Geren, and everyone who invested in these young people. Thank you as well to Deborah Ferguson at NBC5 for helping the community understand the significance of their assignment.
Hosting them offered a reminder that leadership development is not only about teaching skills. It is about creating an experience that helps people see themselves differently. A young person may arrive thinking of a role as a temporary job and leave understanding that they have become a citizen diplomat.
Fort Worth did more than provide a training location. Our community helped send 89 ambassadors into the world carrying stories, relationships, and a deeper sense of responsibility. That is the kind of investment whose impact continues long after an event ends.
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