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Lacey’s Sister City Program: A Brief History…
In an effort to promote international person-to-person citizen diplomacy following World War II, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed creation of the Sister Cities Program during a White House conference in 1956. There are now 675 Sister Cities across the United States, building bridges of understanding with 1,454 communities in 121 countries around the world.
Sister City communities share a number of common goals, including:
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Developing municipal partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, and states with similar jurisdictions in other nations. |
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Providing opportunities for citizens and city officials to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships. |
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Creating an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened. |
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Stimulating environments through which communities can creatively learn, work, and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional, and technical exchanges and projects. |
Participating communities engage in a vast array of innovative projects, focusing on program areas that include humanitarian relief, business and economic development, the arts, education, healthcare, and the environment. While the emphases of individual communities’ programs vary, all are rooted in the concept of personal exchange between nations.
Lacey’s Sister City program was established in early 2003 following formal action by the City Council setting the groundwork for a community-based initiative. The program is governed by the Citizen Sister City Committee, which is comprised of citizens living within the City of Lacey and the Lacey Urban Growth Area, and an appointed elected official. The Committee meets monthly. The Committee sponsors a minimum of two program activities annually, including cultural events and exhibits, educational lectures, and delegation exchanges. Individuals, groups, and organizations interested in participating on the Committee can call Lacey City Hall at (360) 491-3214 for more information.