The sister cities family

A unique model of community partnership

For nearly 50 years, Sister Cities International has been one of the most recognized international organizations. In every region of the world, sister city affiliations play a significant role in supporting long-term community partnerships through reciprocal exchange programs. Sister Cities International strives to ensure that each project undertaken by its members reflects the diversity of its network. Specifically, Sister Cities International promotes the inclusion of ethnic and racial minorities, people with disabilities, youth, women, and people of diverse socio-economic status in all sister city activities.

Sister Cities International promotes and supports new sister city partnerships in all parts of the world, reaching areas traditionally underserved by other community development organizations. As international cooperation gains importance, city-to-city programs become increasingly significant to overall global development.

Sister Cities International, the international headquarters for the sister cities program, recognizes, registers and coordinates sister city linkages. To be official, a sister city, county, municipality, oblast, prefecture, province, region, state, territory, town, or village relationship must have the endorsement of the local authorities, who support the efforts of community volunteers. Sister city agreements are then signed by the highest elected officials and ratified by each city council or its equivalent, as necessary. This process opens global initiatives for participation by all people at the local level-citizens, local governments, businesses, media, private voluntary organizations, and educational institutions.

The staff of Sister Cities International, its international headquarters located in Washington, DC, USA, coordinates and serves an expansive network of dedicated city officials and volunteers. This network includes: