Sister Cities International
Building long-term, sustainable bridges of
cultural understanding and economic
development worldwide.
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» History & Background
• Created in 1956 by President Eisenhower
• Ordinary citizens participating in people-topeople exchanges and building long-term
partnerships between U.S. and international
communities that transcend national politics
with the ultimate goal of world peace.
• Initial Cold War relationships in Japan,
Germany and other European countries.
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» Sister Cities International: Today
• 54 Years building partnerships
• Nearly 700 U.S. Cities/Towns/Communities
• 2,000+ Sister city partnerships across the globe
• 136 Countries on 6 continents
• 100,000+ Active community volunteers in the U.S.
• Tens of thousands of Citizen Diplomats abroad of
all generations
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» Across the Globe…
• Europe – 35%
• Asia & Oceania – 29%
• Americas – 16%
• Eurasia – 9%
• Africa – 6%
• Middle East – 3%
• Caribbean – 2%
Partnerships Around the World
» Countries with the most sister city partnerships
· Japan: 234
· China: 183
· Mexico 155
· Germany: 124
· France: 95
· Russia: 93
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» What do sister city programs do?
• People-to-People exchanges
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» Who is involved with Sister Cities?
• Mayors/City Council/City Managers
• Municipal Government Leaders/Experts
• Business Leaders
• Educators
• Youth/Young Professionals
• NGO/Nonprofit Executives
• Women Leaders
• Citizens Passionate about International
Affairs
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» What do sister city programs do?
• Trade & Economic Missions
• Municipal/Technical/Professional Missions
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» What do sister city programs do?
• Humanitarian Assistance
• Sustainable Development (MDGs, Water, Solar)
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» What do sister city programs do?
• Arts & Culture
• Youth & Education
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» What do sister city programs do?
• Events & Programs (US & Abroad)
2010 Impact Survey: Types of Exchanges
What type of exchanges does your sister city program currently participate in? (Check all that apply).
Cultural Events/Exchanges
77.1%
Youth Exchanges
71.4%
Art Exchanges
57.1%
Tourism Delegation Visits
46.2%
Professional Exchanges
44.3%
Training/Educational Exchanges
44.3%
Economic Development
39.0%
Humanitarian Assistance
36.7%
University Student Exchanges
31.9%
Sports and Recreation
24.8%
Environmental Sustainability Projects
18.6%
Other, please specify
N=21
6.2%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
2010 Impact Survey: Training Exchanges
D
2010 Impact Survey: Local Partners
Mayor's Office
84.7%
66.5%
Primary, Middle or High Schools
Local Businesses
54.1%
University/Colleges
53.6%
Arts and Cultural Organization (local arts agency,
theatrical organization, museum)
51.2%
Local Non-profits
39.2%
Service or Social Organization (Rotary, Lion's Club)
38.8%
Local Chamber of Commerce
37.8%
Local Office of Economic Development
23.4%
Health Care Organizations (hospitals, clinics)
23.0%
Sports and Recreation
Religious Institutions
N=209
Other, please specify
International NGOs
0%
16.7%
16.3%
14.8%
39% of local Sister
Cities are holding
Economic Development
Exchanges.
11.5%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2010 Impact Survey:
Outbound Sister City Visitors
3
3
101-200
76-100
3
4
4
4
3
51-75
5
9
21-50
35
16-20
10
11-15
2009
15
2008
17
2007
13
22
21
2-5
28
29
3
1
33
5
2
0
5
10
15
20
32
26
20
0
38
12
15
14
6-10
42
25
30
35
40
45
16
2010 Impact Survey:
Inbound Sister City Visitors
201-400
101-200
76-100
51-75
21-50
2007
16-20
2008
# of Annual Visitors
11-15
2009
6-10
2-5
1
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
17
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
» Sister Cities International Programs
• Africa Poverty Alleviation Program – Africa
• 3-Year program
• 25 Cities working on Water, Health, Sanitation
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
Site visit to central market
in Gbarnga, Liberia
Tom Connolly meets with
Superintendent of
Maryland County (Liberia)
Mayor of Harper City, and
County Health Advisor
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
•Projects include
latrines, flush toilets,
showers, bore holes and
wells, clinic, and
increasing water supply
to a hospital
•Sites include markets,
schools, neighborhood
centers, and
underserved areas
Future site of flush toilets for
outpatient department and visitors
at Tamale (Ghana) Teaching
Hospital
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org
Changing Lives –
One individual, one community at a time
Sister Cities International
Promoting peace through mutual respect,
understanding & cooperation –
one individual, one community at a time.
A global citizen diplomacy movement
www.sister-cities.org