Sister Cities - Making International Friends
The city in which we live, Stillwater, Oklahoma, has a sister city affiliation with the city of Kameoka, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, and my wife and I have been very actively involved in the activities surrounding the relationship since it started in 1985. The fundamental concept of Sister Cities which was started by President Eisenhower in 1956 is one-one diplomacy and to promote understanding of the culture and customs of others.
Sister city affiliations range from those that are moderately successful to those that are very very successful. Kameoka and Stillwater's affiliation had been a very very successful and wonderful relationship that has touched the lives of many in both communities and in other communities in very positive ways.
Activities are wide and varied range including cultural exchanges, educational exchanges, sports and music exchanges, economic development and/or assistance, medical assistance, senior citizen delegations, and many other types of activities.
There's over 1200 U.S. cities that have sister city affiliations with cities in 123 countries around the world. The headquarters for Sister Cities International (SCI) is located in Washington D.C.. If you and others in your city have an interest forming a sister city relationship, SCI or most existing programs will be glad to provide information and help. We're always glad to help!
Form more information, please visit the following sites.
Stillwater: http://www.stillwater.org/SisterCities
Kameoka: http://www.nttms.co.jp/kameoka/index-e.html
SCI: http://www.sister-cities.org/