sistercity

A sister city, or twin town, is a formal, long-term partnership between two municipalities in different countries. Established to foster cultural, educational, technical, and economic exchange, these relationships are typically guided by a written agreement and overseen by city government or a nonprofit cooperation organization. The term is more commonly used in the United States and Canada, while twin towns is common in Europe and elsewhere.

The modern concept emerged after World War II as a people-to-people diplomacy initiative to promote peace and understanding. In the United States, Sister Cities International was founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to coordinate and promote these ties; in Europe, town twinning began earlier in some places.

A city seeking a partner may identify potential sister cities through cultural, economic, or geographic affinities, then sign a formal agreement. Activities are often organized by a sister city committee within the city or by a nonprofit organization in cooperation with consulates and government agencies. Many relationships involve student exchanges, cultural performances, school partnerships, municipal staff exchanges, and the sharing of best practices.

Common activities include citizen exchanges, art and music events, language programs, business delegations, and disaster response cooperation. The intended benefits include mutual understanding, tourism, trade, investment, and shared expertise. Some relationships are highly active, while others are largely symbolic.

Critics note that some partnerships receive limited resources or attention and may not yield measurable economic benefits. Proponents argue that even modest exchanges contribute to global understanding. As of today, thousands of sister-city arrangements exist worldwide, coordinated by international networks and municipal offices.