A Sister City relationship is created when an American community joins with a community
in another nation to develop friendly and meaningful exchanges. The ideal affiliation
involves a large number of citizens and organizations in both communities engaged in
continuing projects of mutual interest. The Sister City program as a national concept
was launched at the White House in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for
massive exchanges between Americans and the people of other lands. This was his way of
helping to promote world peace. Hundreds of American cities responded and Lexington was
one of the first when it twinned with Deauville, France in 1957. Sister Cities International is a tax-exempt, non-profit association headquartered in Washington, D.C. and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The national association provides a mechanism for U.S. cities
to enter this program by assisting them in the process of linking with a city in another
country.
The Lexington Sister Cities Commission:
- Oversees and assists the Deauville, France, County County Kildare, Ireland, Shinhidaka, Japan and Newmarket, England committees with projects and programs.
- Assists the government in proper reception of the many foreign visitors and dignitaries
who frequent the Lexington area annually.
- Assists the government in International trade relations and promotion.
- Assists the government and its agencies in tourism and travel promotion on the
International and National levels.
- Maintains direct contact with Sister Cities International and intiates contact with
networking agencies in the Lexington area and the state.
- Informs and educates the public concerning the operation of the Commission and the
active programs.
- Assists other cities in Kentucky participating in the sister Cities program.
The Sister Cities Program offers the opportunity to:
- Learn about and participate in International relations.
- Experience other cultures, language, art, music and ideas.
- Understand the economics of world trade and tourism and increase our international
business partnerships.
- Participate in cooperative community programs based on diversity.
Lexington's Sister Cities
Deauville, France
County Kildare, Ireland
Shinhidaka, Japan
Newmarket, England
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2008 Calendar of Events
Useful Links/Information
Student Applications:
Membership Application [.PDF]
Membership Benefits
Commission Members
French Internship
200 East Main Street
Lexington, Kentucky 40507
Tel: (859) 258-3137
Fax: (859) 425-2053
Email
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SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL