Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 01/24/2012 - SISTER CITIES, FRIENDSHIP CITIES, AND INTERNATIONADATE: January 24, 2012 STAFF: Diane Jones Ginny Sawyer Pre-taped staff presentation: available at fcgov.com/clerk/agendas.php WORK SESSION ITEM FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION Sister Cities, Friendship Cities, and International Community Relationships. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fort Collins is frequently contacted by international cities interested in pursuing a relationship with Fort Collins. The City is also approached from time to time by citizens interested in pursuing more formal relationships with international communities. Currently, the City does not have a structure in which to evaluate these requests or to determine what parameters or expectations would be involved. There are a few different models utilizing varying amounts of resources, including Sister Cities International (SCI), a Friendship City program, or a more generic, standard response. By establishing a program and criteria, the City will be better poised to respond to requests and benefit from the positive aspects of these relationships. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED The City does not have criteria for responding to or developing relationships with international communities or requests for such relationships. There is not a developed understanding for the expectations of what these relationships would entail. Staff is seeking direction on how to respond to these requests. Would Council like to explore: • a Sister Cities International program • a Friendship City program • a Standard Response to requests; or • some combination of the above? BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION In the 1970s the City of Fort Collins entered into two Sister City relationships (Limeria, Brazil and Christchurch, New Zealand.) Neither of these relationships lasted and there is no documentation as to why or how these cities were chosen. January 24, 2012 Page 2 In 2002, Fort Collins created a response to international inquiries that was less formal than a SCI program. It was entitled “Cities of Friendship.” (See Attachment 5) Since 2002, the City has had contact and exchanged correspondence with: • the City of Cuautla, Mexico (this community received donated police equipment.) - 2004 • Langa Province, Huarochiri, Peru - 2003 • Georgia, Russia. 2003 Recently, the City has been contacted by citizens interested in forming relationships in Mexico, Central America, and Africa. At no time has the City developed standard criteria for responding to international community interest in developing a relationship with Fort Collins or contacting communities with whom the City would like to pursue relationships or the expectations of what these relationships would entail. Program Characteristics Sister Cities International (SCI) A SCI program is the most formal of arrangements. A relationship through SCI requires membership ($880 for Fort Collins), an official partnership agreement/letter/resolution between elected officials, and strong community support usually in the form of 501(c)3 Board with elected positions. SCI encourages relationships between cities that have similarities in geography, size, economic interests, and/or cultural background. Exchanges are also encouraged and are a fairly standard expectation and practice between Sister Cities. Ideally, the exchanges would be people, but could also be an exchange of materials, resources, and/or ideas. Collaborative and mutually beneficial projects and goals of the relationship should be decided upon and put in writing. In researching other communities and their SCI relationships, the resources provided by each City vary. Some communities are entirely run by volunteers with the City only paying the membership dues. Other communities include SCI as a budgeted item and/or provide staff support. Information from SCI and table of other cities programs is attached. (Attachments 3, 4 and 6) Friendship City A Friendship City program could be more tailored and personalized to match the request. No membership dues would be required and community support and fundraising would not be as critical. A Friendship City relationship could still involve exchanges, hosting delegations, and collaborative efforts and projects between communities. This type of program should include regular interactions and reports on those activities to gauge the success and viability of the relationship. January 24, 2012 Page 3 Standard Response The City could also opt for a “standard response” to requests. The response could include any or all of the following: • a letter from the Mayor that says: N if there are particular services and operations you are interested in, please contact the City Manager’s Office. N if there are particular businesses or organizations you would like to contact, please contact the Chamber of Commerce or the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau N if you are interested in contacting Colorado State University, please contact …. • a general packet of information about Fort Collins, business, and education institutions • an invitation to members of this community that do happen to travel to Fort Collins to contact the City Manager’s office to arrange a visit with the City Manager and Mayor. Regardless of the approach, it would be helpful for the City to clarify guidelines for cities with whom it would be interested in “partnering” as well as guidelines for responding to inquiries. A “standard response” could be available to anyone, but staff advises having defined criteria and expectations for Friendship or Sister City requests. Community Resources Establishing and maintaining any international relationship should utilize and generate interest and expertise from the larger community. Fort Collins is fortunate to have extensive existing international activities already established. The following are just a few examples. • Colorado State University (CSU) has a long history of international connections. The Office of International Programs has set a goal of establishing 15-20 international Strategic Partners. These Strategic Partners are universities where at least three different faculty members have already established research and academic relationships. CSU sees numerous benefits in these relationships to both the university and the community as a whole. • The Global Village Museum (An International Resource Center) has long term goals of being a resource for all international activities in Fort Collins. This would include being a resource for employers of internationals, spouses of international employees, and the City. Currently, the Museum has expertise in programming, training, and knowledge of current international programs and exchange programs already happening in Fort Collins. • The Fort Collins business community also has existing relationships with the international community. Many companies within Fort Collins have international branch offices and distribution networks providing networking opportunities for the community. In addition, the City’s Economic Health Office has contacts and awareness of kindred and best-practice international communities. The Economic Health Office specifically participates through the Target Industry Clusters in the International Cleantech Network, which includes similar public, private, and academic partnerships around advancing energy and water innovation. January 24, 2012 Page 4 ATTACHMENTS 1. “Sister Cities” staff memo, March 14, 1996 2. “Sister Cities Arrangements” staff memo, September 1, 1999 3. Sister Cities International: An Introduction 4. What are Sister Cities? 5. Cities of Friendship, October 2002 6. Comparison Chart 7. Powerpoint presentation ATTACHMENT 1 ATTACHMENT 2 Sister Cities International: An Introduction About Sister Cities International Why have a sister city? Why belong to Sister Cities International? How to get involved What makes a successful sister cities program? How to choose a sister city How to establish a sister city program How are local sister city programs funded? Sister Cities International Programs Sister Cities International Affiliations Policies Support Sister Cities International Sister Cities International 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 850 Washington, DC 20004 Tel: 202-347-8630 Fax: 202-393-6524 E-mail: info@sister-cities.org Web: www.sister-cities.org ATTACHMENT 3 1 OUR MISSION Promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, & cooperation – one individual, one community at a time. ABOUT SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL Sister Cities International is a nonprofit, citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities to increase global cooperation at the local level. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Sister Cities International promotes sustainable development, youth involvement, cultural understanding, and humanitarian assistance. As an international membership organization, Sister Cities International officially certifies, represents, and supports partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, states, and similar jurisdictions in other countries to ensure their continued commitment and success. The Sister Cities International network represents more than 2,500 communities in 137 countries around the world. History Sister Cities International traces its roots to 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a people-to- people citizen diplomacy initiative. Originally part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International became an independent, nonprofit organization in 1967 due to its tremendous growth and popularity. Sister Cities International is unique in that it aims to increase global cooperation through long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships at the local level. It works to motivate and empower private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders and awaken them to the advantages—and increasingly, the necessity—of being internationally engaged. What we do Throughout its history, sister city programs have responded to rapidly changing global needs and realities. While Sister Cities International’s mission initially focused largely on encouraging cultural understanding, it has grown to reflect the complex global realities and interconnectedness of our changing world. Today, sister city partners engage in a vast array of mutually beneficial, innovative and meaningful projects, including: • Arts and Culture • Business and Economic Development • Disability Awareness • Education • Emergency Preparedness • Environment • Healthcare • Humanitarian Assistance • Municipal Training • Public safety • Women in Leadership • Youth Involvement The programs undertaken in local sister city organizations are as unique as the communities themselves and the goals and needs within them. All programs, however, are rooted in the concept of personal exchange. Leaders in a global mission Sister Cities International is the sole, official U.S. counterpart of other international organizations that utilize the concept of town “twinning” to encourage global understanding and cooperation. Sister Cities International creates strategic partnerships with many of these organizations to help our mission gain momentum around the world. 2 While different terms are often used to describe long-term partnerships between two communities (sister cities for the United States and Mexico; twin cities in Russia and the United Kingdom; friendship cities in Japan and China; partnerstadt in Germany; and jumelage in France), all denote the same concept promoted by Sister Cities International. WHY HAVE A SISTER CITY? As the world becomes increasingly smaller, communities face numerous opportunities—and challenges—that require a global perspective. A sister cities program enables citizens to become directly involved in international relations in a unique and meaningful way, bringing long-term benefits to both the U.S. community and its partner abroad. Whether linking with a metropolitan city in Germany, or a small village in Ghana, communities learn and grow as a part of its sister city partnership. On the most basic level, sister city relationships allow citizens to exchange ideas, gain an international perspective, and increase their understanding of global issues. However, many sister city programs go further, lending economic growth and development to both their home and partner communities, or humanitarian support to regions in need. While sister cities build the foundation for increased tourism, reliable business contacts, and cross-cultural awareness, they also foster a desire to reach out to the world’s less developed regions and build personal bridges to world peace. WHY BELONG TO SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL? Sister Cities International assists cities, counties, states, and similar jurisdictions in other nations, in every phase of the twinning process. Communities interested in establishing sister city partnerships benefit from Sister Cities International’s extensive experience and legacy in creating lasting, meaningful partnerships of all types around the world. Members remain in contact with knowledgeable staff eager to lend guidance and support to ensure the success of both budding and mature relationships. Members also benefit from the ability to network with other successful city-to-city partnerships. Sister Cities International’s Annual Conference is specifically organized to aid members in this networking process. Sister Cities International members benefit from grants and programs initiated by the international office in Washington D.C. Sister Cities International’s partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation, for instance, allows sister city communities to send wheelchairs to their counterparts abroad through a program called “Wheelchairs for Peace.” Other programs have revolved around domestic violence prevention, local governance, and HIV/AIDS education and prevention. Two of our current programs are the Sister Cities International Network for Sustainable Development and the Youth and Education Network. To find out about these opportunities and many more, please visit the Sister Cities International Web site at http://www.sister-cities.org. Sister Cities International offers numerous member services including: ¾ Grants: Eligibility to participate in all Sister Cities International grant programs, such as: “The Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development,” “Wheelchairs for Peace,” “Open World Leadership Program,” “Africa HIV/AIDS,” “Emergency Preparedness,” and the Islamic student exchange program (YES). ¾ Publications: Subscription to all Sister Cities International publications, including quarterly issues of Sister Cities International Newsletter, a bi-weekly e-Newsletter, the annual membership directory, and instructional guides covering all aspects of local program development. ¾ State Coordinators: U.S. members receive support from a dedicated and experienced volunteer in the state, who will make personal visits to your community. State Coordinators supply a mentor element to communities that are interested in developing sister city partnerships but need advice on how to get them started. They also offer their professional expertise to already-established programs that want guidance in developing or reorganizing their programs. 3 ¾ Meetings and Conferences: Sister Cities International’s Annual Conference provides an opportunity for sister city programs from around the world to network, learn about new innovations and share experiences. State Coordinators also hold regular meetings to provide these same opportunities at the state level. ¾ Awards Programs: Eligibility to participate in Sister Cities International’s Annual Awards Program and the Sister Cities International Young Artist Competition, where your community can gain national recognition for your achievements. ¾ Insurance: Opportunity to purchase discounted supplemental medical traveler’s insurance, board member liability insurance, and event insurance. ¾ Access to Sister Cities International’s Web site at http://www.sister-cities.org, which features: ™ “Cities Seeking Cities” list, requests for sister city partnerships along with detailed community profiles and contact information for both U.S. and international cities ™ Tools and techniques that promote outstanding sister city programs ™ Contact information for sister cities around the globe ™ Stories about local sister city partnerships, which reaches hundreds of people each day ™ Updates on programs conducted by local sister city organizations with support from Sister Cities International ™ News about sister city programs around the world HOW TO GET INVOLVED Membership Sister Cities International offers membership to U.S. cities, counties, states and territories, as well as international communities that have a recognized sister city relationship with a U.S. community. In addition, corporations, associations, businesses, educational institutions, and individuals are also invited to join the Sister Cities International network. Membership categories: Voting Members • U.S. cities, counties, states and territories (including towns, villages, or incorporated areas of any size) • International communities that have a recognized sister city relationship with a U.S. community • Municipal associations Non-voting Members • Corporations • Nonprofit organizations • Embassies • Individuals Forming a sister city partnership Any official jurisdiction—whether it is a borough, village, township, city, county, state, or similar jurisdiction in other nations—can become a member of Sister Cities International and begin to build a sister city partnership. A sister city, county or state relationship becomes official with a signing ceremony of the top- elected officials of the two local jurisdictions, following approval by the local city councils (county commissions or state legislatures), as appropriate. However, your community does not have to have a sister city, or a sister city committee in place, to become a member of Sister Cities International. WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL SISTER CITY PROGRAM? The strongest and most successful types of sister city programs incorporate the three main sectors of a vibrant, productive community, county or state: local government, business, and civil society/citizen volunteers. Successful sister city programs will have: 4 • Support and involvement from city hall and the business sector • Broad-based support and involvement from the community • Alliances with like-minded organizations • Strong communication links • Cross-cultural awareness • Clear objectives • Willingness to grow and take risks • Regular, ongoing exchanges Even if your community lacks the resources to make trips between the two countries, there are a variety of low- cost exchanges that should continue to occur every year: • An annual “state of the city” letter between the two mayors • Exchanges of the cities’ annual reports and city plans by officials at city hall • Exchanges of children’s artwork, letters or e-mails • Periodic exchanges of interesting newspaper articles that show how society, technology, the environment, etc., are changing in your city • Cultural festivals, movies or speeches that celebrate the culture of the sister city (foreign students or business people from the nation of the sister city can be guest speakers) HOW DO SISTER CITIES FIND EACH OTHER? LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS! • A city with a significant population from abroad will initiate a sister city relationship. For example, New Brunswick, New Jersey’s large Hungarian-American population led to a link with Debrecen, Hungary. • A number of sister city ties have been formed after a U.S. or foreign company opened a factory in a city abroad, or when two cities have very similar economic bases, such as two ski resort communities. • Communities with the same name often consider partnerships. For example, Toledo, Spain, and Toledo, Ohio, are sister cities. • Diplomatic staff at posts around the world, Peace Corps volunteers and business travelers often recommends matches, based on their knowledge of specific communities. • The owner of Japan’s Western Village, a theme park near Imaichi, Japan, visited Rapid City, South Dakota, after seeing the film “Dances with Wolves,” which was filmed near Rapid City. As a result of this visit, the two cities developed a successful partnership. • Many sister school, university, YMCA, or Rotary Club partnerships have developed into formal sister city links. • Cities undertake sister city partnerships for humanitarian purposes, such as New Orleans partnering with Tegucigalpa, Honduras after Tegucigalpa was devastated by a hurricane. HOW TO CHOOSE A SISTER CITY Communities find each other in many different ways. It may be a top-down process, where two mayors meet and become friends, and then involve the rest of their community in the relationship. Or it could be a bottom-up process, where a group or individual in the community—an educator, businessperson, service club or ethnic 5 association—takes the lead and organizes a sister cities committee and then requests that their elected leaders form an official partnership. Communities interested in building sister city partnerships can also utilize the “Cities Seeking Cities” section of Sister Cities International’s Web site, which enables communities to “meet” by reviewing online profiles. Creating a sister cities partnership is like entering a marriage. It is a long-term commitment and thus requires a lot of “courting” to ensure that the best partner is chosen. In general, it is wise for cities to pursue a relationship with a community that is similar in geography, population, industry or interest. The following are some of the factors which should be taken into account when selecting a sister city. Keep in mind that this is only a loose guide to assist in your search. However, while some cities choose their partner based purely on commonalities, others find greater success and fulfillment via the adage “opposites attract.” Your choice depends entirely on your objectives: economic development, diverse cultural exchange, humanitarian assistance, etc. Overall factors to consider: • Is there genuine interest on both sides? • Is there a long-term commitment to the relationship? • Is there adequate financial support for exchanges and maintenance of the relationship? If you are working with an underserved region, are you capable of covering expenses they might not be able to handle? Make a realistic assessment of what makes a successful sister cities relationship, and capitalize on the existing strengths of both communities. Remember that a desire to learn from and share experiences with a sister city can often balance the lack of similar characteristics with a potential partner. Look at the general characteristics of both communities: • What the goals and objectives of each partner? • Are there similarities in population, geographic location (mountains, desert, lake, or port), key industries, and ethnic population? • Does the community already have existing linkages with other universities, businesses, YMCA, or Rotary clubs? • Does the city have sister cities in other countries? Are they successful? • What will be the role of the local government and the sister cities committee in the relationship? Look at economic issues: • Socio-economic conditions • Language/cultural patterns and barriers • Market analysis of industries • Investment climate/present investment levels • Liberal versus restrictive trade climate • Port city-port connections • Invisible trade (education, high-tech, service, exports) • Trade exchange potential • Number of tourists • Presence of foreign businesses/factories locally • Local businesses engaged in international activity 6 And political factors: • History of diplomatic relations • Present degree of cooperation between U.S. and international country in political, economic, commercial, and cultural fields • Level of government bureaucracy • Diplomatic presence • Honorary consuls HOW TO ESTABLISH A SISTER CITY PROGRAM Sister city programs are as unique as the communities developing them. Most local programs do fall within three main types of organizational structures: the association, the city commission, and the corporation. Association: An association is a group of people joined for a common purpose, often without a formal structure. Ordinarily it is not incorporated, but uses the same methods and forms used by corporations. This type of structure is usually found in small to medium-sized cities with an informal sister cities program, as well as among programs with little community-wide fundraising or funding. City Commission: A city commission is put together formally by municipal ordinance and carries out its functions as an arm of city government. The mayor usually appoints the members of the sister cities commission, and the commission is responsible for affiliation policy and direction. Corporation: The corporation is a legal entity with its own name. It is made up of individuals that must follow the laws regarding corporations. Sister Cities International strongly suggests incorporation of sister city programs, and applying for tax-exempt status under the statute 501(c) (3) of the IRS tax code. 7 HOW ARE LOCAL SISTER CITY PROGRAMS FUNDED? Local sister city programs fund themselves in various ways. Many, if operating as part of the city commission, receive funding from their city budget. Others, operating as voluntary citizen organizations, rely on membership dues, fundraising campaigns (ranging from bake sales to black tie galas), and other community- based donors willing to support the mission of the sister cities organization to support their activities. Local program budgets vary accordingly, from hundreds of dollars to millions, depending on the community, their structure, and their program goals. YOU’VE FOUND A COMMUNITY THAT YOU WANT TO BE YOUR PARTNER—NOW WHAT? Once two communities have found each other, it is very important that they not rush the formalization process. Sufficient time should be taken to develop a strong base of support for the partnership in both communities: • The two communities should share information, including their best brochures, city reports, and videos, if available. • Each community should develop strong city hall and business support and, most importantly, a broad- based committee made up of a wide-range of citizens interested in supporting the partnership. This committee should not consist of only one ethnic group, nor be dominated by a single individual. • Official delegations should visit both communities, including, but not be limited to: the mayor (or another high ranking city official); representatives of the business community; the acting president, chair and/or city liaison for the sister cities program; an educator; and a person or group to highlight local culture, such as a performing artist. • It is often desirable to carry out a specific, substantive exchange or project of interest to both sides prior to formally linking as sister cities. Examples include an exchange of children’s artwork, an internship involving city officials focused on city planning or the environment, hosting a business delegation, and/or a cultural arts performance. SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS As part of its mission, Sister Cities International administers a number of international-level programs for the sister cities network: Sister Cities International Annual Conference The Sister Cities International Annual Conference is held every summer and is an excellent opportunity for dedicated sister city volunteers, elected officials, professionals and international colleagues to network and learn from one another. The conference includes interactive workshops, invigorating speakers and international events. It is held in communities where the sister cities movement is strong and thriving. Young Artists Competition Sister Cities International’s “Young Artist Competition” aims to encourage youth, ages 13 through 18, from all parts of the world to express, through original artwork, their concept of the sister cities’ mission through the competition’s yearly theme. The artwork is judged on the basis of originality, composition, and theme interpretation. Winning entries are exhibited each year at the Sister Cities International Annual Conference and then are on display in various sister city communities across the country. 8 Sister Cities International Annual Awards Program Sister Cities International established the Annual Awards Program in 1962 to recognize exceptional sister city programs. A distinguished panel of judges reviews the programs, and the winners are honored at the Sister Cities International Annual Conference. Awards are given in the following categories: • Best Overall Program ¾ Population less than 25,000 ¾ Population 25,000 to 50,000 ¾ Population 50,000 to 100,000 ¾ Population 100,000 to 300,000 ¾ Population 300,000 to 500,000 ¾ Population greater than 500,000 • Innovation ¾ Arts & Culture ¾ Economic Development ¾ Education ¾ Environment ¾ Healthcare ¾ Humanitarian Assistance ¾ Municipal Cooperation ¾ Public Safety ¾ Sports ¾ Technology & Communication ¾ Youth • Disability Advocacy and Awareness • Volunteer of the Year CURRENT PROJECTS Beyond the programs listed previously, Sister Cities International also administers a number of special initiatives: Wheelchairs for Peace: Through a partnership with Sister Cities International, the Wheelchair Foundation and local Rotary clubs, sister city members can send wheelchairs to their partners abroad. For more information, please go to our Web site at: http://www.sister-cities.org/sci/Wheelchairs. The Open World Leadership Program: Sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, aims to promote ideas of accountability, transparency, and citizen participation in government by bringing Russian, Ukrainian and Uzbek elected officials, political candidates, and emerging political and civic leaders to the United States. The program is being administered by the Academy for Educational Development with Sister Cities International as a sub-grantee. Sister Schools: Initially sponsored by the Hewlett Packard Company, this program gives schools and classrooms in the United States opportunities to “partner” with a school or classroom in another city. Through sister school partnerships, this program emphasizes the role of schools in increasing international knowledge and cross- cultural understanding of students around the world, as well as helping them to become informed and concerned citizen diplomats. 9 Sustainable Development Network: The Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development is a network of sister city partnerships dedicated to responding to the challenges of achieving sustainable urban development. A current project is the “Waging Peace in our Communities” program which provides resources for four U.S. sister cities and their partners in France to share information on integrating immigrant populations in their communities. Youth and Education Network: This network is committed to promoting and supporting youth programming and youth participation in the sister city movement. Sister Cities International is a sub-grantee to AYUSA Global Youth Exchange Program to develop and implement a week-long intensive leadership program for Islamic students. SISTER CITIES AFFILIATIONS POLICIES Only dues-paying members in good standing with Sister Cities International will have their sister city partnerships formally certified and recognized by Sister Cities International. New affiliations will be considered official only when Sister Cities International has received copies of the sister city agreement(s). Sister Cities International will consider a relationship to be active unless notified otherwise. It will provide guidance in periodically evaluating a relationship. Sister Cities International will also assist in revitalizing a relationship or in terminating a relationship, if the partners agree it is not working out. Inactive partnerships may be designated as being in “Emeritus Status.” Under this category, relationships which are no longer active will still be honored. Sister Cities International will recognize sister city affiliations in countries where formal U.S. diplomatic relations have not been established, provided that the U.S. government has at least an “Interest Section” operating in that country and provided that no federal funds are used by Sister Cities International to support the affiliation. SUPPORT SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL Your support helps Sister Cities International fulfill its mission of creating and strengthening community partnerships around the world. Sister Cities International is a 501(c) (3) organization, and contributions from individuals, corporations and other organizations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. You can honor a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or the memory of a special person with a gift to Sister Cities International. An acknowledgement will be sent to the person of your choice. Sister Cities International also accepts donations of stock. For more information on supporting Sister Cities International, contact Amy Burchiel at aburchiel@sister- cities.org. Or, send donations to: Sister Cities International Sister Cities International Annual Fund 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 850 Washington, DC 20004 Please visit our Web site at http://www.sister-cities.org for more information on sister city programs in your community. 10 1 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. What Are Sister Cities? Information for U.S. and International Communities What is Sister Cities International? What is a Sister City, County or State Relationship? What is the Difference Between a Sister City and a Friendship City? How Do Sister Cities Find Each Other and Develop a Relationship? Important Factors for U.S. Communities to Keep in Mind When Developing a Sister City Partnership with a City Abroad Important Factors for International Communities to Keep in Mind When Developing a Sister City Partnership with a City in the United States What Do Sister Cities Do? What Makes a Successful Sister City Program? Sister Cities International Affiliations Policy 915 15th Street NW, 4th Floor Washington, DC 20005 USA Phone: (202) 347-8630 Fax: (202) 393-6524 info@sister-cities.org www.sister-cities.org 915 15th Street NW 4th Floor Washington, DC 20005 Phone 202.347.8630 Fax 202.393.6524 www.sister-cities.org Promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation —one individual, one community at a time. ATTACHMENT 4 2 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. What is Sister Cities International? Sister Cities International is the national headquarters for sister city, county and state programs in the United States. The U.S. Sister Cities program traces its roots to 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a People-to-People citizen diplomacy initiative. Originally a part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International became a separate, non-profit corporation in 1967 due to the tremendous growth and popularity of the U.S. program. For almost 55 years, Sister Cities International has empowered citizen diplomats as they engage in meaningful international exchange programs. Sister Cities International assists cities, counties and states with every phase of the twinning process, providing support, networking and outreach for current and future sister city programs. Sister Cities International organizes an Annual Conference and other state and international meetings; publishes monthly newsletters and other materials that support the work of sister cities; and administers a wide variety of public and private sector grant projects. These projects include everything from municipal training and community problem solving, to exchanges of media managers, thematic youth exchanges and professional internships focused on a volunteerism, aging, healthcare, public safety, the environment, and more. What is a Sister City, County or State Relationship? A sister city, county or state relationship is a broad-based, officially approved, long-term partnership between two communities, counties or states in two countries. A sister city, county or state relationship becomes official with a signing ceremony of the top-elected officials of the two local jurisdictions, following approval by the local city councils (county commissions or state legislatures), as appropriate. Sister city partnerships have the potential to carry out the widest possible diversity of activities of any international program, including every type of municipal, business, professional, educational and cultural exchange or project. Sister city programs are also unique in that they inherently involve the three main sectors in a community: local government, businesses, and a wide variety of citizen volunteers (and civil society or non- profit organizations). What is the Difference between a Sister City and a Friendship City? Various terms are used around the world to describe a long-term partnership between two communities: sister cities (United States, Mexico), twin cities (Russia, United Kingdom), friendship cities (as with relations between Japanese and Chinese cities), partnerstadt (Germany), and jumelage (France) all denote the same concept of partnered communities. Although „sister cities‟ is the commonly used term in the United States, some U.S. cities have formed „friendship city‟ relationships with communities abroad. Often, there is no difference between these terms. For example, a “friendship city” relationship might be more active than a „sister city‟ relationship. If there is a difference in meaning, it is that „friendship city,‟ in the United States tends to refer to a partnership that is slightly limited in scope. 3 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. Sister Cities International encourages U.S. communities to use the term „sister city‟ instead, unless there is a specific purpose for limiting the range of the partnership. The most important thing is that these relationships should not be entered into casually; there must be a commitment to develop support from your city hall and community as a whole for the affiliation, keeping it active, with substantive programs, over the long-term. How Do Sister Cities Find Each Other and Develop a Relationship? Cities find each other in many different ways. Sometimes it is a top-down process, where two mayors meet and become friends, then involve the rest of their community. Other times, it is a bottom-up process where a group or individual in the community, an educator, a businessman/woman, a service club or an ethnic association, take the lead and organize a sister city committee, then request that their elected leaders form an official partnership. Some cities link because they share the same name, or celebrate the same famous festival. Charming odd coincidences or chance meetings sometimes also lead to a sister city affiliation. Sister Cities International also acts as a matchmaker, utilizing its “Cities Seeking Cities” section of the International Community Resource Center (ICRC), which enables communities to “meet” one another by reviewing on-line profiles. All communities, both U.S. and international, must complete a “Request for a Sister City” form in order to participate in this on-line service. In general, it is wise for cities to pursue a relationship with a community that is as similar as possible in terms of geography, population, industries and interests. On the other hand, there are many successful “marriages” of opposites. Once two cities have found each other, it is very important that they not rush the formalization process. Sufficient time should be taken to develop a strong base of support for the partnership in both communities, including: The two cities should share information, including their best brochures, city reports, and videos, if available. Each community should develop strong city hall and business support and, most importantly, a broad-based committee made up of a wide-range of citizens who are interested in supporting the partnership. This committee should not consist of only one ethnic group, nor be dominated by a single individual. Official delegations should visit both communities. These official delegations should include, but not be limited to: the mayor (or another high ranking city official); representatives of the business community; the acting president, chair and/or city liaison for the sister city program; an educator; and a person or group to highlight local culture, such as a performing artist. It is often desirable to carry out a specific, substantive exchange or project of interest to both sides prior to formally linking as sister cities. These projects then become a concrete success story to build on – a statement that the program will be active and meaningful for both sides. Such first exchanges could include an exchange of children‟s 4 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. artwork, an internship involving city officials focused on city planning or the environment, hosting a business delegation, and/or a cultural arts performance. Important Factors for U.S. Communities to Keep In Mind When Developing a Sister City Partnership with a City Abroad City Hall vs. Citizen Volunteers In most countries in the world, sister city programs are formally managed by an international relations division or some other official representative at city hall. The United States, with its tradition of more individualistic volunteerism, is more the exception than the rule. It is therefore critical, as a matter of basic protocol and to tap the full potential of their sister city program, that the local government in the U.S. city maintains an active interest and involvement in the sister city programs. In practical terms, this means the mayor taking time to visit with delegations, designating a contact person/support staff for sister cities at city hall, sending and hosting selected city officials for substantive municipal exchanges and training involving local government themes such as the environment, public safety, or city planning. Cities typically provide minimal support for administrative costs for the volunteer committee. At that same time, it is recommended that U.S. communities request that their counterparts abroad set up a committee of interested volunteers. U.S. mayors can be effective in communicating the need for more citizen participation in their sister city. Also, U.S. leaders need to clearly communicate to their counterparts that they have designated their volunteer committee be the official arm of sister cities in their city. Resources It is sometimes the case that the more city hall-driven programs in international cities, even in developing countries, have more resources for sister cities than their more volunteer- based U.S. counterparts. If this is the case, the U.S. committee will need to make sure to tap their city‟s full potential for fundraising through city hall support, corporate support, individual donors, appropriate service fees, and fund-raising events. Clarifying Objectives There is often a very strong interest in ‘economic development‟ on the part of international cities who are seeking a U.S. partner. While U.S. cities also have an increasingly strong interest in this area, both will need to carefully discuss with each other exactly what they mean by „economic development.‟ In many cases, a compromise will have to be reached between those interested more in business activities, versus educational and cultural 5 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. exchanges. It is not an either/or situation – both educational and cultural exchanges, as well as opportunities to explore economic development should be part of a great sister cities program. Cultural Differences When U.S. cities host groups from abroad, the tendency is often to be informal. While this has its own unique charm and appropriateness, it is important to recognize the expectation of many international guests for more formality. It should be a given, for example, that any international guest be offered a drink (e.g. coffee, tea) when first arriving, since this is the standard custom in almost every city or village in the world. Distinguished, high-ranking officials from abroad need to be formally recognized as such – rank and seniority are very important in many cultures. Language More often than not, English is the mode of communication in international meetings. Americans need to be highly sensitive to the difficulties faced by non-native speakers since we are usually fortunate to have our language in use. For non-native speakers … Explain key vocabulary words and concepts in advance Give easy-to-understand summaries and clear analogies and metaphors for long explanations Give time to formulate questions Build in opportunities for rest – listening to a foreign language is hard work Provide quality interpretation and/or translation when critical for deeper understanding, and Make every effort to learn as much as possible of the language of your sister city – three new words a day should be considered a minimum to be a true global citizen. Important Factors for International Communities Developing a Sister City Partnership with a City in the U.S. Volunteerism If your sister city program is administered directly by the local government in your city, then you will need to be fully acquainted with the U.S. system of volunteerism. There is a lot of variety with regard to how sister city programs are structured in the United States, but here is the typical framework: Mayor as Honorary Chair. The mayor‟s level of interest in the program will vary from city to city and mayor to mayor in the United States 6 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. Staff person at city hall or the ‘Liaison to the Sister Cities Committee.’ The level of administrative and programmatic involvement by this person also varies from city to city. This position can be found in a wide variety of departments, such as the mayor‟s office, the economic development department, international relations office, the city manager‟s office, the parks and recreation department or the cultural affairs department. Executive Director or Coordinator of the non-profit organization Sister Cities. Some cities have a full-time or part-time non-city hall staff person to administer part of the work of the program. This person works on behalf of the legally incorporated Sister Cities non-profit organization or on behalf of the city government and the various volunteer committees. President and Board Members. Many cities have an overall president of their sister cities program. These people are volunteers who rise up to these leadership positions inside the volunteer sister city program. Committee Chairs and Individual Volunteers. Many/most U.S. cities have chairmen or chairwomen of each of their sister city committees. Almost all U.S. sister city programs are heavily dependent on many volunteers to support their program. Funding Most local governments in the United States do not have large budgets for international affairs. Volunteers are the backbone of most U.S. sister city programs. In general, this has to do with a long tradition in the United States of local self-government (the federal system of national-state-municipal levels of government). Some local governments in the United States do not contribute any funds at all to their local sister city programs, which means that all sister city program efforts will be carried out by volunteers, requiring a great deal of their time and many out-of-pocket expenses. Although the receptions you receive from your U.S. hosts may not be as fancy (expensive) as what you can provide, you should show appreciation for the hard work and many sacrifices made by individual U.S. volunteers, and for any sponsorship by U.S. businesses which support sister city events. The United States is a Big Country The United States is a very culturally, geographically, ethnically and religiously diverse nation. An experience you have with one person, city, neighborhood or region may not be the same elsewhere, so keep an open mind and continue learning about the complex society, history, politics and cultures of the United States. Americans are More Informal Generally speaking, Americans can be quite informal and direct compared to people from other cultures. Americans tend to value clear, direct communication. If something is bothering you, they will expect you to tell them. Most Americans are uncomfortable having to „read someone‟s mind.‟ Be certain to communicate and clearly explain what is polite and expected in your culture and why – and try some American customs as well! What Do Sister Cities Do? 7 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. Sister city programs inherently involve a unique kind of partnership and involvement of the three main sectors of a vibrant, productive community, county or state – the local government, business and private voluntary sectors (civil society or non-profit organizations and individual citizen volunteers). Sister city programs, perhaps more than any other international program, involve the widest possible diversity of exchanges and projects. Basically, anything that goes on in a community can become – and has, in one city or another – the subject of a sister city project, including healthcare, environment, arts, education, economic and business development, public safety, municipal training, youth, and much more. What Makes a Successful Sister City Program? 1. Solid support and involvement from: City Hall – the mayor as honorary chair; a staff person designated at city hall to support the sister city program; direct involvement of various city departments in municipal, economic development, technical, public safety or other exchanges; various direct and in-direct (in-kind) support for sister city activities, such as assistance with administrative costs and receptions. Business sector, with an opportunity for both corporations and small businesses, as well as individual business people, to contribute their time and/or financial or in- kind support. The local Chamber of Commerce and other key organizations should also be actively involved in the sister city program. 2. A broad-based sister city committee: The best long-term indicator of success for a sister city program (since elected officials come and go) is a broad-based sister city committee, made up of many individual citizens who are enthusiastic supporters of the sister city program. Every effort should be made to recruit people from various professions, a youth delegate, people from different ethnic and religious groups, both women and men, and people with disabilities. Citizen volunteers in the United States and abroad contribute an enormous “cost share” to the local program through their time and various out-of-pocket expenses, including annual individual and family membership fees, travel expenses abroad and hosting expenses at home. 3. Forming alliances: To maximize limited resources and the potential outreach and impact of the sister city program in the community, every effort should be made to form additional alliances within the overall sister city program, such as sister schools or twinned Rotary and Lion‟s clubs. 4. Excellent communication links: It is essential to have excellent communication links, including reliable phone, fax and Internet communications, with back up fax and phone numbers when necessary. Fax machines should be kept on at night. Communication from a sister city should be responded to immediately to maintain good relations. Even if a decision concerning a 8 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. proposal has not been reached, a quick reply saying, for example, “Thank you for your fax – we will respond to you after our meeting next month,” should be sent promptly, acknowledging receipt of an important proposal or letter. 5. Sensitivity to cultural differences: Sister City projects should be reciprocal and jointly planned, executed and evaluated. Also, there needs to be time built into actual exchanges for cross-culturally sensitive feedback to avoid serious “culture bumps.” Formal time for cross-cultural discussion, to learn about more complex layers of culture, such as the changing role of women in society, child rearing methods or how decisions are actually made in local government or businesses, should be built into all exchanges and projects. 6. Clear objectives: To maintain excellent, two-way communication and to keep the program active, it is important that cities meet at least every other year to develop a Memorandum of Understanding about what they plan for their partnership, including frank discussions about areas of interest, realities of budgets and other important details in carrying out proposed exchanges or projects. 7. There are a variety of low-cost exchanges that should occur every year, even if it is not possible to have a physical exchange of people. Some suggestions are: An annual “state of the city” letter between the two mayors Exchanges of the city annual reports and city plans by officials at city hall Exchanges of children‟s artwork, letters or sister school programs through the Internet Periodic exchanges of interesting newspaper articles that show how society, technology, the environment, etc. are changing in your city Cultural festivals, movies or speeches that celebrate the culture of the sister city (foreign students or business people from the nation of the sister city can be guest speakers). 8. Regular exchanges: It is essential to agree on regular, sustainable exchanges of people that will take place every year or, at the very least, every other year. There are many possibilities for this, including teacher and student exchanges, municipal internships for city officials in key fields, young business leader internships sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, or participation at the largest annual festival in the sister city. 9. Willingness to take risks: All relationships, like friendships, need to take a risk once in a while with a larger or more ambitious project, to stay fresh and to achieve their full potential. Such projects require a high degree of planning, fund raising, and time and effort, but they also can be a very positive, life-transforming experience for all involved. 9 Sister Cities International. This publication is available online at www.sister-cities.org. Sister Cities International Affiliations Policy The Sister Cities International Board of Directors has recently made some significant changes to Sister Cities International‟s affiliations policies. The policies now in effect are: Only dues-paying members in good standing with Sister Cities International will have their sister city partnerships formally recognized by Sister Cities International. New affiliations will be considered official only when Sister Cities International has received copies of the sister city agreement(s). Sister Cities International will recognize a new sister cities affiliation between a U.S. and an international community, even though another affiliation may exist between that international community and a different U.S. city, only if a cooperative agreement among all involved cities is filed with Sister Cities International. Sister Cities International's existing policy of U.S. cities affiliating with only one sister city partnership in an international country no longer applies. Sister Cities International members can now recognize more than one sister city partnership in a given country. Sister Cities International will consider a relationship to be active unless notified otherwise. Sister Cities International will provide guidance in periodically evaluating a relationship. Sister Cities International will also assist in revitalizing a relationship or in terminating a relationship, if the partners agree it is not working out. Terminated agreements may be designated as a "Sister City Emeritus." Under this category, relationships which are no longer active will still be honored, but the international city will be available for another sister city partnership. Sister Cities International will recognize sister city affiliations in countries where formal U.S. diplomatic relations have not been established, provided that the U.S. government has at least an „Interest Section‟ operating in that country and provided that no federal funds are used by Sister Cities International to support the affiliation. The only country immediately affected by this policy change is Cuba. Sister Cities International will now officially recognize United States-Cuba sister city affiliations, upon receipt of a copy of the signed sister cities agreement. Community & Contact # of SC Money Staff Comments Colorado Springs Brenda Bonn‐ Office of the Mayor 719‐385‐5462 Citizen contact: David Jenkins davidpjenk@hotmail.com 6 (1962) $1500‐$2000 per year Staff attends one meeting a month, sends out membership/dues collection letters, gets money to the appropriate treasurer, puts together a newsletter, and works closely arranging logistics for visiting delegations. The City provides gift bags and hosts meals and events (this is the $1500‐2000 mentioned. This is not a line item in their budget.) Program really run by citizen volunteers. Brenda attends monthly meetings. CSSCI is a non‐profit with a volunteer board. Each SC has a committee responsible for maintaining the SC contact. They each have their own bank account as well. Their SC program has approximately 50 members. Members pay dues ($10/youth;$20/individual; $25/family; $100/organization; $500/patron.) Anyone participating in an exchange must be a member. Dues support all programming. The City does not have any role or say in budgeting. They have other community programs with higher membership (Japanese Society, etc) that they work closely with. They have children’s choir exchanges and have sent fire trucks and equipment to their Mexico SC. Very rewarding program. Recommends keeping the number of SC manageable! Arvada SC International Arvada City Main Line 720‐898‐7400 SC Contact 720‐898‐7404 2 (1992) Completely City funded @ $10,500 per year One staff liaison who attends monthly meetings. Two appointed Council members sit on committees. City will host meals with visitors. SC program has about 60 members. City trying to get organization to run on its own. SC solicits memberships and collects dues. They also do their own fundraising. Arvada City Council gets regular budget updates but they do not direct how funds are used (other than ensuring the program is meeting their mission.) Denver SC International 303‐832‐1336 Office of Community Support Jamie Taurus 720‐913‐8471 10 City and County provide grants. $30,000 from City of Denver in 2007. One person from the Mayor’s office sits on the Board. City/County contribution pays for office Longmont Rigo Leala‐City Manager’s Office 303‐651‐8840 Sue Bolton‐Citizen Volunteer 303‐776‐9224 2 Pay SCI dues. SC requests (and has received) $24K from Council through their budget request process. One staff liaison who attends monthly meeting. Depending on upcoming events additional workload varies but can include writing correspondence, buying gifts, creating itineraries, and arranging tours. They are not involved in home hosting arrangements, background checks, etc. Longmont’s program was started as a City initiative 10‐12 years ago. The City ran the program for 3 or 4 years and then their SC non‐profit took it over. Currently their membership is approximately 68 families. They do student exchanges and students must do their own fundraising. SC provided some scholarships and travel money ($100 per student to Mexico; $200‐300 for Japan exchanges.). Most delegations are home hosted, when they stay in hotels the delegations pay. City staff that have traveled have paid their own expenses. Over the years elected City official interest has varied…some officials very involved and in other years not so involved. Lawrence, KS Cynthia Wagner cwagner@ci.lawrence.ks.us (785) 832‐3402 http://lawrenceks.org/advisory_bo ards/sc/ 3 SC gets $12,000 a year from the City Guest Tax $7500 which goes to travel costs for student exchanges Staff attends monthly Board meetings, helps with logistics and scheduling. Estimates SC takes 10% of time. SC is it’s own 501‐C3. They present 6 mos and annual reports to Council showing where funds have been spent. Advisory Board (13) is approved by Council and Council approves their recommendations. The Board appoints its subcommittees & does its own fundraising. Biggest complaint is that there is not enough City staff involvement. 1 1 Sister Cities, Friendship City, and International Relationships City Council Work Session January 24, 2012 Agenda Item # 2 How would Council like to respond to requests for formalized relationships with international communities? Would Council like staff to draft program options including community criteria and program elements and expectations? Council Consideration ATTACHMENT 7 2 3 History ‐ Fort Collins participated in Sister Cities International in the 1970’s. ‐ In 2002 Fort Collins initiated a “Friendship City” program. ‐ Fort Collins gets requests from international communities and from citizens requesting to be Sister or Friendship Cities. 4 ‐ International membership organization ‐ Encourages relationships between cities with commonalities ‐ Requires a Mayor to mayor agreement ‐ People exchanges are highly encouraged ‐ Community Board needed (ideally 501c3) ‐ Annual dues ($880 for Fort Collins) Sister Cities International 3 5 Friendship City Program ‐ Specific to Fort Collins ‐ Could be tailored to meet needs and requests ‐ Should still have clear criteria and expectations 6 Standard Response Standard response for all requests, could include: ‐ Letter from Mayor ‐ Resources and contacts for topics of interest ‐ Invitation to visitors to meet City Leaders, staff, etc 4 7 Existing Resources ‐ Colorado State University (CSU) ‐ CSU Office of International Programs (Strategic Partners) ‐ Global Village Museum (Resource Center) ‐ Fort Collins Business Community (Branch offices) ‐ Target Industry Clusters (Cleantech Network) ‐ Many more 8 Very minimal Very minimal Standard No No Response Possible, not required Yes‐ Periodic Preferred, not required Friendship No City Yes‐ Could vary over time Yes‐ Regular and consistent Yes‐ 501c3 Board Yes‐ $880 annual SCI Staff City Money Support Community Support Membership 5 9 Council Consideration How would Council like to respond to requests for formalized relationships with international communities? Would Council like staff to draft program options including community criteria and program elements and expectations? space and a ½ time office manager. The staff liaison is from the Office of Community support (by ordinance.) She estimated SC took 10% of her time over a year (workload varies.) DSCI is a private non‐profit organization. Each SC has it’s own Board and Chairs. Major fundraising event every two years. Each SC also expected to do their own fundraising. Office of Community Support does occasional letter writing, scheduling with Mayor and Council members, hosting of receptions. Funds for this and small gifts provided by Office of Economic Development (not a line item, just discretionary funds.) Lakewood Citizen Volunteer‐Carol Gent 303‐985‐7570 http://lakewoodsistercities.org/ 4 No. Occasional small gifts and meals for visitors. Do pay SCI membership. No official staff support, although the Mayor’s office helps to arrange scheduling for visits, providing small gifts and tickets for theater productions. Lakewood SC is a non‐profit membership organization with a volunteer Board. Music exchanges and year‐long student exchanges. All volunteer run since 1977. Boulder Susan Kohl‐Deputy City Clerk 303‐441‐3008 7 Pay SCI dues. Any $ spent comes from the City Manager budget. Susan attends quarterly meetings and helps with logistics when there are events planned. Last year was a big year (the City spent $6500) and more staff time was required. Each of the 7 SC has its own non‐profit, board, and fund raising responsibilities. Council resolution outlines City involvement and process for adding additional cities. SC are citizen initiated. 501‐c3 must already be established. They do have a SC general fund line that is usually around 5k Sister Cities (SC) Comparison Table ATTACHMENT 6