FAQ

What is a sister city?

When a community joins with a community in another nation to learn more about each other and to develop friendly and meaningful exchanges, the two may propose a formal affiliation leading to official designation as “sister cities.” The ideal affiliation involves many citizens and organizations in both communities who are engaged in continuing projects of mutual interest.

This interchange helps to further international understanding at all levels of the community on a continuing long-term basis. Within the program, cities and their citizens exchange people, ideas, and culture in a variety of educational, municipal, professional, technical, and youth projects.

The sister city program was launched at a White House conference in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for massive exchanges between Americans and the peoples of other lands.

Hundreds of American cities responded to that call and are continuing to carry out meaningful exchanges with their partners in 136 nations around the world.

Why have a sister city?

A sister city program enables the citizens of both communities become directly involved in international relations in unique and rewarding exchanges that benefit everyone.

It enables all who participate to: exchange ideas and develop friendships with their counterparts in another culture on a direct personal basis; establish an identity as members of the global family involved in the constructive process of building world peace; develop a way for the many and diverse elements of each community to come together to enjoy and profit from a cooperative program; open new dialogues with the people of another culture to find unique solutions to improving the quality of life of all citizens; participate in a program with a real partner in another country so all members of the community can feel they are contributing to international understanding in a direct, personal way; and better understand their own community by interpreting their way of life to the people of another culture.