If the first two meetings were dedicated rather to gathering all interested parties and introducing participants to each other, this time the event featured concrete cases of the cooperation between the Russian cities and their partners from over the ocean.

The two major reports were delivered by Alexey Rodzianko, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (Moscow and Saint-Petersburg) and Elena Parubochaya, Director of the Center of People's Diplomacy (Volgograd).

The main mission of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham) is to create favorable condition for the development of trade and economic relations between Russia and the USA, which is often not an easy task: as Alexey Rodzianko wistfully noted, "both our countries are quick to anger". In his speech, the AmCham President touched upon several serious and humorous stories from the early pandemic period. Among the first ones, there were the numerous cases when the employees of the AmCham member companies and their families wound up stuck in different countries due to the breach of international transportation. Among the second ones – the instance when two key officials who had not been given the permission to cross the border and meet in person had to hold their talks right in the airport hangar while technically remaining in their countries of origin.

Director of the Center of People's Diplomacy Prof. Elena Parubochaya spoke about the project that the COD had organized with public association, academic and educational circles of Cleveland: among them were the joint participation in the round tables of the "Dialogue on the Volga" Forum, the working seminar by Volgograd State University, Volgograd Grammar School (Lyceum) No. 9 and St. Edward's High School, an exhibition about the Battle of Stalingrad organized in Cleveland's Public Library, as well as the Volgograd-Cleveland website created through their joint efforts: www.volgograd-cleveland.tk 

The event's host and organizer Bill Boerum and Volgograd representatives shared the news about the "Great Rivers" Project: the city upon the Volga River is ready to include in the program of the next "Dialogue on the Volga" International Forum of People's Diplomacy a round table on Russian-American cooperation for the cities located on major rivers, and in the meantime – simultaneously organize several activities in various spheres. These suggestions were supported by the participants of the meeting living on the Kama, the Ohio and the Yenissei.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 9. Attendance is free and wildly encouraged. Join the event by contacting the Sister Cities International association: https://sistercities.org/about-us/