Mission Statement
The International Sister City program, created by President Eisenhower with a mission to promote mutual understanding, has expanded to include a full range of exchanges and benefits between two cities. An agreement signed by the Mayors of participating cities formalizes the relationship and although government is a sponsor, it is the citizens that benefit. Sister City relationships are strong exchanges built upon friendships which start with a cultural or educational base. That foundation helps develop links to economic development, tourism, arts and community development.
In the belief that developing partnerships with international cities will benefit the citizens of Cincinnati, our local sister city program focuses on connecting people internationally to build cultural and economic bridges.
Description
The City of Cincinnati partnered with its first Sister City, Liuzhou, China, in 1988, and the other six quickly followed. By 1994, Cincinnati had seven international sister cities, Liuzhou, China (1988); Gifu, Japan (1988); Kharkiv, Ukraine (1989); Munich, Germany (1989); Harare, Zimbabwe (1990); Nancy, France (1991); and New Taipei City, Taiwan (1994.) All of the cities are important centers of culture, industry, and education and noted for their scenic landscapes or historic architecture.
The Office of the Mayor, the City of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati USA Sister City Association support Cincinnati's interaction with these cities. Additionally, each Sister City has its own committee or association, which is directly responsible for the partnership by organizing its membership, budget, programs, activities, and visits. The Sister City committees and associations organize exchanges that include education, culture, science, commerce, and government.
The Cincinnati USA Sister City Association acts as a liaison between the Office of the Mayor, City Hall and Cincinnati’s Sister City organizations, and is a resource for implementing programs and exchanges.
