Information for Communities Abroad

Promote cross-cultural understanding

• Use the Sister Cities partnership to educate a U.S. community about the culture and way of life in your community. Americans want to know more about Islam and Muslim culture. According to a recent Gallup poll, 87% of Americans say that reaching a better understanding with Muslim countries is important to them.
• Enable citizens in your community to learn about the culture and way of life of a community in the United States. Perhaps you already know quite a bit about the United States, but American culture and lifestyle varies dramatically depending on the region of the country and the specific community make-up. You can learn about a whole new aspect of life in the United States.
• Find more in common! Much has been made of the "clash of cultures" between the West and the Muslim world, but studies have shown that Americans and residents in the Muslim world hold many values in common, including a high level of importance placed on religion, liberty and equality. Both Americans and residents of the Muslim world are critical of a perceived moral and ethical corruption in the West.

Create opportunities for economic development in your community

• Sister Cities partnerships consist of more than just exchange opportunities. Sister Cities partners can share ideas and create programs that address a wide-range of economic development issues including sustainable development, agriculture, education, trade, technology, gender inequality, transportation, tourism, urban planning and land use, micro-financing, and entrepreneurship. These programs and discussions can bring valuable results to your community.
• Establish trade ties between your community and a U.S. community. Sister cities can hold trade conferences or trade missions to bring industries from both communities together to examine trade relationships and international business opportunities.
• Exchange ideas and lessons-learned relating to infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, water and sewer, and waste management.
• Promote your community and country as a tourism destination through your Sister Cities partnership. You will have the opportunity to encourage citizens in your sister city to visit your community. The more they learn about the rich culture and traditions of your city, the more inspired they will be to schedule a trip.

Prepare youth in your community to compete in the global marketplace

• Sister Cities relationships can bring a whole host of educational opportunities to youth in your community. Partnered communities can conduct student, sporting, and teacher exchanges. Communities can also develop 'sister schools' partnerships and youth conferences addressing educational topics. These types of programs will prepare youth in your community to become global leaders by providing them with foreign language skills, cultural sensitivity, global awareness, and exposure to other ways of tackling problems. These skills are necessary for success in this era of globalization.

Support and encourage the arts in your community

• Exchange artwork, architecture, dance, music, theatre, and literature with your sister city. Not only will your community's artists receive international recognition, but your community will also benefit from contact with the arts and artists from another country.

Get started now!

• Read "How to Find a Sister City" for helpful tips on identifying a city for partnership.
• View the Cities Seeking Cities database to learn about U.S. cities seeking international sister cities.
• If you cannot find a city in the database, register your own city so other communities can find you.
• Contact Jennifer Oliver for more information about partnerships.