Austin Sister Cities

Affiliations between the United States and other countries began shortly after World War II and soon became popularly known as Sister Cities. The Sister City movement became a national effort when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the People-to-People program at a White House conference in 1956. Today, over 2,000 U.S. cities in all 50 states are linked with over 1,800 foreign cities in 123 different countries. Since its founding, the Sister Cities program has broadened its areas of focus from educational and cultural exchanges to also include technical assistance, trade, and economic development. This is the second installment in our series (and was prepared by the International Understanding, Cooperation, And Respect. Founded in 1968, Austin Sister Cities International (ASCI) aims to promote international understanding in our fast-paced, globalized world. Together with representatives from our sister cities, we are facilitating a wide range of opportunities to participate in international educational, community, cultural and business exchanges.

Inbound + Outbound Delegations

We organize, host and welcome multiple international delegations every year. As a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization we are committed to including local artists, business leaders, city administration and community members in all of our trips abroad. The topics of focus on the delegation trips vary, depending on each delegation’s agenda and committee aims. However, all ASCI delegations represent an international and diverse Austin, seeking to promote international understanding, cooperation and respect.

Educational Exchange

Austin Sister Cities International has facilitated educational exchanges for decades. Many Austin schools, including elementary, high school and universities regularly participate in student exchange with our sister cities.

Economic Development

Austin Sister Cities actively contributes to our city’s thriving economy (1) by promoting and organizing large groups of international citizens to visit Austin for the purpose of tourism, business development, educational instruction, and cultural exchange, and (2) by facilitating opportunities for Austin businesses to expand internationally, through the established networks in our Sister Cities and the surrounding communities.

Austin International Community

Austin Sister Cities International leverages its resources within the Austin international community to strengthen Austin as a premier international travel destination and global city. Our core concern involves reducing stereotypes and prejudice, while contributing to a tolerant and welcoming environment. Our events are inclusive and open to the public. The aim is to bring the communities of our sister cities closer to Austin and vice versa, giving Austin an international stage on which it can truly shine.

The Austin-Adelaide Sister Cities Committee facilitates exchanges between these two hill-country capital cities. Both cities are performing and visual arts centers, boast strong technology and advanced manufacturing sectors, and recently gained a new common tie: both are home to the V8 Supercar Series. The majority of South Australia’s 1.5 million citizens live in Adelaide. 1,700 acres of continuous parklands delineate Adelaide proper from its suburbs and help contribute to its famous relaxed way of living. The city has a vibrant arts culture, is home to The South Australian Museum, and is situated in a prominent wine-producing region. Learn more about the Austin-Adelaide Sister Cities Committee here.

The Austin-Angers Sister City Committee coordinates the relationship with Angers, the capital of France’s Maine-et-Loire District - a lovely and historic region and France’s fourth-largest industrial producer. Austin and

Angers have been Sister Cities since 2011. Angers has earned a reputation as a leader in promoting environmentally responsible industrial production that preserves the region’s excellent quality of life. The region is home to more than 70 multinational firms. Tourist destinations include historic monuments, chateaux and manor houses. Angers is an hour from the Atlantic Ocean and only 90 minutes from Paris by high-speed train. Learn more about the AustinAngers Sister Cities Committee here

The Austin-Antalya Sister City Committee focuses on facilitating intercultural and interfaith dialogue. Antalya is home to polytheists, Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and thus has a tradition of peaceful coexistence among faiths. Austin and Antalya have been Sister Cities since 2009. Antalya is the fifth-most populous city in Turkey and the capital of its eponymous province. Located on Anatolia’s flourishing southwest coast bordered by the Taurus Mountains, Antalya is the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast with over one million people in its metropolitan area. Antalya is Turkey’s biggest international sea resort, located on the Turkish Riviera. Large-scale development and governmental funding has promoted tourism. A record 12.5 million tourists passed through the city in 2014. In 2015, the population was 2.3 million. Learn more about the Austin-Antalya Sister Cities Committee here

The Austin-Gwangmyeong Committee focuses on economic development and performing arts exchanges. The committee has a particular focus in music and organizes frequent visits from Korean musical groups to Austin and vice versa. Austin Mayor Steve Adler and an Austin business delegation recently visited Korea. Gwangmyeong is located in western Kyonggi Province, about 9 miles from Seoul. The city is a gateway for the metro area and is a hub for culture and arts. Annual events held in the city include the Ori Culture Festival, Mt. Gureum Art Festival and Music Valley Festival. Learn more about the Austin-Gwangmyeong Sister Cities Committee here

The Austin-Koblenz Sister City Committee focuses on creating personal connections between citizens of Austin and Koblenz. The strength of the Austin-Koblenz Sister Cities committee is educational exchange. There is a long tradition of elementary and higher education exchanges. Koblenz is an historic town of approximately 120,000 people in the state of RhinelandPalatinate. The medieval town center survived two World Wars and the Romanesque, gothic and baroque churches testify to the city’s history. The Rhine and Mosel rivers meet in the city, and the name Koblenz derives from the name Romans gave the city in 9 B.C., “castellum apud confluentes” meaning “castle at the confluence of the rivers.” Major automotive and aviation suppliers including TRW and Corus as well as High Tech Companies and a large Kimberly Clark paper mill are located in Koblenz and the city is also a center for wine production. Learn more about the AustinKoblenz Sister Cities Committee here

Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots. Don’t be irreplaceable; if you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.

Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.

The Austin-Hackney Sister City Committee facilitates the relationship with the London Borough of Hackney which began on January 25, 2012, as a formal Friendship City agreement to foster exchanges in the areas of high-tech and digital media, the creative industries, economic development, and sustainability. The AustinHackney relationship was then advanced in 2014 to full Sister Cities status following two years of robust and continuous exchange activity between the communities and hundreds of members partaking on both sides of the Atlantic. Hackney is home to “Tech City”, the East London hub of tech innovation and entrepreneurship centered in Shoreditch and “Silicon Roundabout” area of Old Street. As a top London advertising executive sums it up: “We’ve connected the USA’s No. 1 city for entrepreneurship, Austin...with Europe’s hottest scene for tech and creative startups in Hackney.” Today the two cities maintain a continuous flow of economic and cultural activity all year round with a peak annual focus happening in Austin every March during the SXSW Interactive-Music-Film Conference...and then back over in Britain each June for London Technology Week. Learn more about the Austin-Hackney Sister Cities Committee here.

Founded in November 1981 Austin Lima Sister Cities was established for the purpose of exchanging cultural, historical and peaceful thoughts, concepts and beliefs. The mission is to foster cultural, educational, entrepreneurial and humanitarian exchange between Austin and Lima. Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, as Ciudad de los Reyes. Following the Peruvian War of Independence, it became the capital of the Republic of Peru. With a population of more than 10 million people, Lima is the most populous metropolitan area of Peru and the third-largest city in the Americas; home to one of the oldest higher-learning institutions in the New World. Lima is the country’s industrial and financial centre and one of Latin America’s most important financial centers, home to many national companies and hotels. It accounts for more than two thirds of Peru’s industrial production and most of its tertiary sector. Learn more about the Austin-Lima Sister Cities Committee here.

The Austin-Oita Sister City Committee seeks to promote and heighten public interest in and appreciation of the culture, people, languages, business, and products of the City of Austin, Texas and Oita, Japan. Austin and Oita have been Sister Cities since 1990. Oita is the capital city of Oita Prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu, Japan. As of early 2017, the city has an estimated population of 478,491 people. Oita has heavy chemical industry including steel, petrochemicals, and copper. In recent years, IT and high tech companies have been established in Oita. Oita is known for its hospitality and fishing industries. Outside the city, scenic spots include mountain plateaus, seaside villages and towns renowned for onsen geothermal hot springs. Takasaki Mountain that borders Beppu is famous for wild monkeys, specifically the Japanese macaque. Learn more about the Austin-Oita Sister Cities Committee here

The Austin-Old Orlu Sister Cities Committee is interested in exchanges directed towards how to maintain the natural beauty of the city’s surroundings while it continues to grow and develop, as Austin has been successful in this type of development. Austin and Orlu have been Sister Cities since 2000. Old Orlu, located in the southern part of Imo State, Nigeria, is one of Imo State’s four major cities. Orlu is home to a variety of plant and exotic animal resources, precious monsoon forests, and wildlife and other game reserves. It is the commercial Capital of the state and boasts an estimated population of 680,372. Soccer is largely considered Nigeria’s national sport and the country has its own Premier League of football. Learn more about the Austin-Orlu Sister Cities Committee here

The Austin-Saltillo Sister City Committee coordinates a shared unique history as the two capitals of Texas. Saltillo was the capital when Texas belonged to the Mexican state Coahuila, before Austin became the capital of the Republic of Texas. Austin and Saltillo have been Sister Cities since 1968 and celebrated 50 years of continuous exchange and friendship. Founded in 1577, Saltillo takes pride in its Spanish Colonial architecture, famous tile and serape blankets. This city of over 700,000 people also boasts a growing heavy industrial base. The Wall Street Journal has called the area a “mini-Detroit.” Learn more about the Austin-Saltillo Sister Cities Committee here

The Austin-Taichung Sister Cities Committee was founded in February 1986. In June 1986 the Mayor of Austin Frank C. Cooksey led a 12-person delegation to visit Taichung. In reciprocal Taichung Mayor Chang Ziyuan also led a delegation to visit Austin in the following year. Since then the exchange programs between the two cities have continued to foster and enhance the friendship between Taichung and Austin. Austin and Taichung have been Sister Cities since 1985. Taichung is a growing city near the famous Sun Moon Lake. It is home to 9 universities and the Central Taiwan Science Park, which focuses on nanoscience and nanotechnology. Taichung has a rich cultural scene, with landmarks such as the Wan He Temple and the Feng Chia Night Market. Learn more about the Austin-Taichung Sister Cities Committee here

The Austin-Xishuangbanna Sister Cities Committee promotes travel to Xishuangbanna. This Chinese city is a part of the largest intact ancient rainforests in the entire world, home to wild elephants, colorful culture, and delectable cuisine. Xishuangbanna (She-shuang-banNA) hosts an annual New Year Water Festival celebration each April. The sister city relationship between Austin and Xishuangbanna was established in 1996. Learn more about the Austin-Xishuangbanna Sister Cities Committee here