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Sister Cities International is dedicated to promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, & cooperation - one individual, one community at a time. Nowhere is this commitment to peace-building more evident than in the trilateral relationships between U.S., Arab and Israeli communities. These partnerships serve to enhance dialogue, collaboration, and understanding between Arab, Israeli and American communities.
Existing Trilateral Partnerships
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Gainesville, Florida-Qalqilya, Palestinian Authority-Kfar Saba, Israel
This partnership was established in 1998 after the community of Gainesville reached out to the two communities in the Middle East. The vision of the partnership is to encourage broad-based partnerships among institutions, businesses and citizens of Gainesville, Kfar Saba and Qalqilya. Thbe partnership focuses on sharing best practices and information in the areas of education, culture, local government, business and sports.
Website: http://www.gnvsistercities.org/?page=kfarsaba
Burlington, Vermont-Bethlehem, Palestinian Authority-Arad, Israel
The Burlington-Bethlehem-Arad Sister City Program began in 1991. The committee works towards three goals: to support cultural exchanges, to facilitate programs that foster understanding and promote peace in the region, and to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Bethlehem. The committee has sponsored dialogues, exchanges, and various humanitarian activities. The partnership sponsored teenagers from each of the three cities to attend the "Seeds of Peace" camp in Maine. The summer camp empowers young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence. Additionally, Burlington has shown films from their sister cities in the Burlington International Film Festival; sent medical supplies to Bethlehem; sponsored Palestinian students studying in the U.S.; hosted community dialogues on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and created a sister-church relationship between a local Lutheran church and a Christian Church in Bethlehem.
Website: http://www.ci.burlington.vt.us/sistercities/
Birmingham, Alabama-Karak, Jordan- Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel
The Birmingham-Karak-Rosh Ha'ayin relationship was signed in 2005. Two activities are central to the trilateral relationship. 1) Jordan and Israel are being featured in 2007-08 in the year-long programming of the Birmingham International Center. Activities include exchanges of performers from both Israel and Jordan, a symposium on Middle East peace efforts by Jordanians and Israelis, and making grants available to enable Birmingham teachers to highlight Israel and Jordan in local classrooms. 2) A Birmingham coalition (higher education institutions, local non-profits, and local school systems) has applied for funding for a three-year program to provide training to local Jordanian and Israeli educators and youth leaders to develop programs in youth leadership training, including planning, public policy, conflict resolution, mediation, and other training, leading to greater youth involvement in local government and public policy making.
Website: http://www.birminghamsistercities.com/Jordan.asp
To find out more about trilateral relationships, or to find an Arab or Israeli community seeking a U.S. sister city, please contact Jennifer Oliver, Islamic Partnership Initiative Program Manager at: 202.347.8630 ext. 8638 or joliver@sister-cities.org.