Columbia is a member of Sister Cities International, a U.S. nonprofit organization with a mission of promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time — through “citizen diplomacy.” Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy. Eisenhower envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world. By forming these relationships, President Eisenhower reasoned that people of different cultures could celebrate and appreciate their differences and build connections that would lessen the chance of new conflicts. Sister Cities International dedicates a special focus on areas with significant opportunities for cultural and education exchanges, economics, and humanitarian assistance.
- A broad-based, officially approved, long-term connection between two communities, approved by Sister Cities International (sistercities.org).
- Becomes official with the signing of an agreement by officials of both cities, after approval by city councils of each community.
- Allows citizen volunteers of both communities to get involved in citizen diplomacy, projects of mutual interest and international relations.
- A sister city relationship between provides opportunities to Columbia residents for cultural enrichment, educational exchanges, business relationships, and humanitarian contributions.
- To facilitate interaction between residents of each community.
- To increase understanding between our cultures, through direct, friendly, personal contact
- To open dialogues with people of another culture who can share insights and perspectives
- Creates a win-win situation where residents of both communities benefit
Columbia's Sister Cities
The sister city relationship between Columbia, Maryland, and Cergy-Pontoise, France, was established in 1977. Exchanges (cuisine, art, architecture and music) are periodically planned for adults, with home stays in both France and Columbia. Community members with a sincere interest in France are invited to join the Cergy-Pontoise Sister City Committee (a subcommittee of CA’s International and Multicultural Advisory Committee).
The sister city relationship between Columbia, Maryland, and Tres Cantos, Spain was established in 1990. There have been annual summer youth exchanges with Tres Cantos for over 28 years.
The official Sister Cities Agreement between Columbia and Tema, Ghana, was signed in November of 2014. CA’s Tema Sister City Committee is working to support the Tema Central Library and several school libraries and is planning to develop adult and youth exchanges. Community members with an interest in Ghana, and of Ghanaian descent, are invited to join the Tema Sister City Committee.
Cap-Haitien is a small port city on the northern coast of Haiti. The sister city relationship between Columbia, MD and Cap-haitien, Haiti was established in 2016. Community members with an interest in Haiti, are invited to join the Cap-Haitien Sister City Committee. Members should be residents of Columbia or Howard County who are interested in developing future exchanges and activities for the residents of Columbia and Cap-Haitien in the areas of culture, dance, visual arts, music, education, sports, environment and business.
Liyang, Jiangsu Province, China (150 miles west of Shanghai): The city of Liyang in the People’s Republic of China officially became Columbia’s fifth sister city in 2018.
For the press release about the signing ceremony, click here. To view the signed Sister Cities Agreements in English and Chinese, as well as photos of the event, click here. If you want to see what Liyang and its surroundings look like, you can check out this video.
The Liyang Sister City Committee is seeking volunteers who are interested in China and Chinese culture. Members should be residents of Columbia or Howard County who are interested in developing future exchanges and activities for the residents of Columbia and Liyang in the areas of culture, dance, visual arts, music, education, sports, environment and business.
For additional information, please contact us at International@ColumbiaAssociation.org.