Fort Worth Sister Cities

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the people-to-people concept. President Eisenhower thought that relationships fostered in this program would lessen the possibility of future world conflicts. This concept grew and eventually led to the creation of Sister Cities International (SCI). SCI is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development. SCI leads the movement for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders to conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit.

The City of Fort Worth joined SCI in 1981 and began actively seeking its first partner in 1983. Criteria for city partnerships include mutual interest, long-term commitment, financial resources for exchanges and programs, existing linkages, chamber relations, community support, cultural and educational venues, accessibility to major airport and diplomatic relations. Fort Worth signed its first agreement with Reggio Emilia, Italy in 1985. Since then, relationships have been established with Nagaoka, Japan (1987); Trier, Germany (1987); Bandung, Indonesia (1990); Budapest, Hungary (1990); Toluca, Mexico (1998); Mbabane, Swaziland (2004).

Š2007 Fort Worth Sister Cities