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Our Programs

Sister city relationships offer the flexibility to form connections between communities that are mutually beneficial and which address issues that are most relevant for partners. Sister city relationships offer endless possibilities for communities to conduct a wide variety of programs and activities. Programs vary greatly from basic cultural exchange programs to shared research and development projects. Programming can typically be classified in four main areas:

Youth and Education


Providing experience in international affairs and citizen diplomacy to youth is a critical part of any sister city program. Sister city exchanges are often the first opportunity that youth have to travel abroad, and the experience of being a guest rather than a tourist is a unique opportunity that helps them develop cross-cultural competence and maturity. Activities often include short- and long-term student exchanges, virtual exchanges, and sports tournaments. Educational exchanges, whether at the high school or college level, provide young people with the opportunity to develop professional skills under the umbrella of citizen diplomacy. These exchanges are often described by participants as “a life-changing experience,” and many current leaders in international affairs or diplomacy can trace their interest to their first sister city exchange

Arts and Culture


Arts and cultural programs are some of the oldest and most robust in the sister cities network and continue to connect people from different backgrounds on a fundamental level. By experiencing and exploring the culture of an international community, citizens may gain insight into the history, values, and aesthetic sensibilities of their partners.

Today, cultural exchange provides the foundation for many sister city relationships. These exchanges take many different forms, with musical performances, art exhibits, peace parks and gardens, and international cultural festivals proving popular throughout the sister city network.

Business and Trade


In addition to trade delegations and tourism dollars, sister city programs create connections with international municipal officials, institutions, and businesses. These connections build trust, access, and expertise that help local businesses find new opportunities. Whether it is access to new markets, assistance navigating import and export regulations, or introductions to new partners, sister city programs expand the resources available to local businesses. Investing in sister cities means investing in the future of a community.

Municipal Exchange and Community Development


Peer-learning between municipal employees and elected officials through sister city activities has helped cities implement innovative policies and management techniques in sanitation, water, health, transportation, tourism, economic development, and education. Sister city programs ALSO often raise funds or collect supplies for natural disasters or other emergencies in their sister cities. Other humanitarian and community development projects include renovation of clinics, creation of wells, and trainings for medical personnel. Numerous programs also support schools abroad through donation of materials, construction, and partnerships with U.S. schools

Measures that Matter


Sister cities programs contribute
over $525 million to the U.S.
economy each year.

Our Global Presence
Most Sister City Partnerships by Region

  • Europe 721
  • Asia 674
  • Americas 452
  • Sub-Saharan Africa 145
  • Middle East/North Africa 90
  • Oceania 39

Most Sister City Partnerships by Country

  • Mexico 202
  • Japan 199
  • China 164
  • Germany 119
  • France 102
  • Italy 89
  • Russia 77

Most Sister City Partnerships by U.S. State

  • California 383
  • Florida 188
  • Texas 183
  • Illinois 106
  • Washington 78
  • Ohio 76
  • New York 65