Hints-Start a USASC

In selecting a compatible sister city requires a review of many areas of interest and importance to both cities. If an African city and the proposed U.S. city share a historical connection and/or an interest in the arts, humanities, education, and in business, the relationship will grow and the two cities will become closer.

Sister Cities International will recognize a new sister cities partnership between a U.S. and an international community, even though another partnership may exist between that international community and a different U.S. community, only if a cooperative agreement among all involved communities is filed with Sister Cities International. To see the policy change, go to Sister Cities International Website (click here).

Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI) published a booklet listing critical factors bearing on the success of a Sister City Program. In selecting a sister city, the following factors should be reviewed:

1.  Sponsoring partnership

• There is a genuine interest in bringing the recommended city into the relationship.
• The partnership agrees to sign a commitment contract in which the parties agree to provide a successful ongoing sister city relationship.
• The partnership is organized and developed, with broad-based community and business leaders committed to a sister city relationship.

2.  Foreign partnership

• There is genuine interest in creating an African sister city relationship.
• The partnership is organized and developed, with broad-base community and business leaders committed to sister city relationship.

3.  Commonalities of the two cities

The population should be approximately the same size.  Industries should be tourism, manufacturing and agricultural-related.  A common link, such as commercial trade or governmental activities, should exist. The following factors should be considered for a recommended city:

a.  Cultural

• Art and/or historical museums.
• Theaters, choirs, or dance groups
• Musical symphony or orchestra or similar musical presentations.
• Libraries.

b.  Economics

• Cultural patterns do not create barriers for potential business trade.
• Appropriate market for the goods and services of both cities.
• Appropriate banking and services to support economic trade.
• Opportunities for education.
• Potential development for tourism activities.

        c.  Political

• Potential for good political, economic, commercial and cultural relations with the United States .

• Leaders of government committed to as sister city relationship. Points of interest to consider for an African Sister city.

• Cultivate a genuine understanding of the background and purpose of the sister city program within the local community. Such preparation should be directed first, and most carefully, toward sister city programs leaders, then to the larger community.

• Construct an equal relationship between the pared communities: above all, avoid any resemblance of paternalism or patronage.

• Plan and implement your program in full coordination and cooperation with your African partners.

• Emphasize economic, personal, cultural, and educational relations as a program base.

• Start from small beginnings. Select areas of mutual interest and need, and work to keep initial projects simple and personal to assure a firm long-term commitment.

• Be sensitive to still-vivid African memories of the colonial past.

• Avoid excessive expectation on both sides. Don't promise or - appear to promise - too much, and do not discourage - or appear to encourage - too much from either side.

• Always maintain an open mind, be flexible and pragmatic. Don't program rigidly; you may miss unplanned opportunities.

• Carefully observe certain critical, but subtle, aspects of the relationships in selecting your African sister city. For example: the range of basic expectations, the national political climate, and top leaders' attitudes.