What is a Sister City Relationship

Sister Cities International Founder, President Dwight D. Eisenhower Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy. Eisenhower envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world. By forming these relationships, President Eisenhower reasoned that people of different cultures could celebrate and appreciate their differences and build partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts. ( From Sister Cities International : www.sister-cities.org )

Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development. Sister Cities International leads the movement for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders to conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit.

Shimizu, Japan

Shimizu is located on the coast of Suruga Bay of the Pacific Ocean and covers a wide area from a coastal plain to the hills. With a population of 32,205 (2009), it is is one of three wards of the city of Shizuoka. The main economic drivers are agriculture, heavy industry and commerce. The primary agricultural crops are mandarin oranges, green tea, commercial fishing and roses.

Shimizu was adopted as a Sister City by City Council Resolution on March 9, 1959.

IIoilo City, Philippines (more...) 

Iloilo City is a port city located on the southern shores of Panay Island on the Panay Gulf. This highly urbanized city has a population of 418,710 and is the capital city of Iloilo province. The local economy is supported by trade, commerce and industry. 

Iloilo was adopted as a Sister City by City Council Resolution on August 2, 1965.

Empalme, Mexico (more...)

Empalme is located on the south-central coast of the Mexican state of Sonora. The economy is based on agriculture, cattle raising, fishing and small industries. The population of the city is 40,630 (2005).

Empalme was adopted as a Sister City by City Council motion on September 4, 1973.

Foshan, China (more...)

Foshan is a city in central Guangdong province in southern China. Agriculture, manufacturing and hi-tech industrial support the economy for this city of 5.4 million.

Foshan was adopted as a Sister City by City Council Resolution on April 11, 1988. (more)

Parma, Italy (more...)

Parma is located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. This region is famous for its ham, cheese, architecture and countryside. This city of 177,069 (2007) people is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world. Parma was adopted as a Sister City by City Council Resolution on January 13, 1998. (more)

Battambang, Cambodia

Battambang s the capital city of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia located on the Sangker River. Battambang is the second-largest city in Cambodia with a population of over 250,000. It is well known for being the leading rice-producing province of the country. Battambang was adopted as a Sister City by City Council Resolution on October 19, 2004.

Asaba, Nigeria (more...)

Asaba is the Delta State Capital of Nigeria with a population 500,000.  It is located on a hill at the western edge of the majestic River Niger.  Asaba forms a connector between western, eastern and northern Niger through the River Niger.  Asaba is the major agriculture community in the oil rich delta state of Nigeria. Asaba was adopted as a Sister City by City Council Resolution on June 6, 2006.