About SSCA

Seattle Sister Cities Association is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. Our mission is to foster cultural connections, mutual understanding and respect between the people of Seattle and its sister cities. In partnership with Seattle’s 20 sister cities, we provide opportunities for meaningful and lasting connections, friendships and partnerships.

Seattle Sister City Program Goals

Seattle will seek to develop sister city relationships that serve the following objectives:

1. The development of people-to-people relationships between the residents of the sister cities;

2. The education of our residents and the residents of the affiliated cities;

3. Mutual enhancement of our residents’ cultural awareness and sensitivity;

4. The development of international trade and tourism;

5. The development and sharing of best practices in government departments and industries engaged with and/or representing Seattle’s contemporary international landscape.

Each sister city relationship is managed by a volunteer association which is expected to fulfill the following functions on behalf of the City of Seattle:

Represent Seattle as a community at public events and celebrations in the affiliated city abroad (parades, festivals, trade shows, exhibitions and official ceremonies).

Organize exchanges with residents or officials of the affiliated city that expand friendship, mutual understanding, and goodwill. Examples include civic, art, cultural, educational or athletic exchanges; reciprocal trade missions; commemorative projects in parks and public places; and tourism promotions.

Build knowledge and better understanding of the affiliated city among Seattle residents through exhibitions, displays, art shows, and other programs.

Encourage people-to-people contacts with the affiliated city through partnerships with schools, correspondence between residents of the respective cities, home hospitality stays, and other exchanges.

Organize other activities and programs consistent with the goals of the sister city program and complementary to the interests of the association’s members.

Our Sister Cities Program will be guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:

Relationships/friendship

Collaboration

Diversity

Respect & dignity

Peace

Mutual benefit/reciprocity

Community service