Sister Cities International
Founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Sister Cities International (SCI) is the national, nonprofit, volunteer membership organization representing the sister cities programs of more than 1,100 U.S. cities and their 2,000 partners in over 120 countries worldwide. As the premier organization for citizen diplomacy in the U.S., SCI leads the national movement for local community development and volunteer action in the global arena. SCI motivates and empowers municipal officials, volunteers, and youth to conduce long-term programs of mutual benefit and interest with their sister city counterparts abroad.
Sister Cities Mission Statement
Sister Cities International (SCI) is a non-profit 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. SCI 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.
Goals of Sister Cities International
- Develop municipal partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, states and similar jurisdictions in other nations
- Provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships
- Create an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened
- Stimulate environments through which communities will creatively learn, work and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects
- Collaborate with organizations in the United States and other countries which share similar goals
Our sister cities are:
Clermont-Ferrand, France
Clermont-Ferrand is a university city in central France, bordered by the volcanic Chaîne des Puys mountains. Near the fountains and statues of Place de Jaude square are the Gothic Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Cathedral, constructed from lava stone, and the Romanesque Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port, with mosaics. Northwest of the city is the volcano-themed Vulcania amusement park and museum with interactive shows.
Colima, Mexico
Colima is the capital of the Mexican state of the same name. It lies near the central Pacific coast, in a valley south of Colima Volcano. Jardín Libertad, the main square, features a 19th-century Belgian kiosk and Portal Medellín, a grand building with a row of arches. Catedral Basílica Menor de Colima has a neoclassical facade. Next to the cathedral is the city hall and government building, Palacio de Gobierno.
Seika, Japan
Seika Town is located at the southwestern end of Kyoto Prefecture, and is also located in the geographical center of Japan and the Kinki region. The gently rolling hills extend to the west and south, flat farmland extends to the east, and the Kizu River flows to the eastern end.The average temperature of the year is about 15 degrees Celsius, and it has a warm climate.
Arezzo, Italy
Arezzo is a city and comune in Italy and the capital of the province of the same name located in Tuscany. Arezzo is about 80 kilometres (50 miles) southeast of Florence at an elevation of 296 metres (971 ft) above sea level.