Sister City, Sister State Programs
Sister programs have proved to be an invaluable tool for the following reasons:
- Sister programs develop municipal partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, and states and similar jurisdictions in other nations.
- They provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships.
- The sister programs create an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened.
- Sister programs stimulate environments through which communities will creatively learn, work, and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects.
- They collaborate with organizations in the United States and other countries which share similar goals.
What Makes A Good Sister City Pairing?
When a city from Oklahoma is paired with a city from overseas, a number of factors go into the pairing process. First of all, it is important to look for similar characteristics the two cities share.
Characteristics to consider include:
- Size and population
- Geographical considerations
- Economic structure and conditions
- Business and trade potential
- Educational opportunities
- History of diplomatic relations
- Primary industries
- Business and trade potential
- Educational institutions
- Transportation (air, rail, water)
- Infrastructure
- Agriculture
- Cultural resources
- Medical resources
- Natural resources
- Sports
- Current Oklahoma established relationships in region
Support from the Mayor and Council
Before pursuing a Sister City relationship, it is critical to gain the support of the mayor and city council members. It is also very helpful to determine at the outset what city funds, if any, will be needed and if these city funds can be used for travel expenses. To identify a strong network of partnership within your city, consider the following options:
- Chamber of Commerce and businesses
- City government officials
- Schools (private and public) and universities
- Non-profit organizations (Rotary, Girl Scouts, etc.)
- International and ethnic organizations
- Youth organizations, media and religious community
Marrying Two Cultures
Once the profile of the city under consideration is developed, areas with the most exchange opportunities (such as culture, education and business) are identified. During the pairing process, it is important that the relationship between the two cities be entered into with serious long-term intent. Entering into a sister city agreement is indeed a commitment. Both sides must agree to commit people, time and resources to make the relationship effective and lasting.
Other Sister City commitments to consider include:
- Both sides of the relationship should be mutually interested in developing the affiliation.
- The leaders of government, community, business, cultural and educational institutions should be involved in the initial development of the relationship. Their support should be obtained before making the commitment to affiliate.
- A general program outlining the goals and objectives, as well as established programs should be set forth and agreed to before proceeding.
- An agreement and program of cooperation should be developed mutually and be signed by the appropriate people. A more comprehensive program for specific exchanges should then be developed and agreed upon with a proposed timetable. Additional specific programs should follow at regular intervals throughout the relationship.
- Evaluate existing sister commitments to insure not overextending obligations to other international partners.
- Time and resources necessary for the addition of each new relationship should be determined before making any new commitments. No more than one relationship per year is recommended.
Oklahoma's Sister City Pairings
The interesting thing is after a sister program pairing is put into play, it often develops a history and lifeline all its own. In several instances, it is almost as if the paired cities truly are "blood relatives" because of the coincidences and situations that connect the two communities.
Following are the Oklahoma cities and their international counterparts that enjoy a sister city relationship:
Broken Arrow
La Ceba, Honduras
Claremore
Murvlenko, Russia
Grove
Pursuing Miyama, Japan
Lawton
Guillesheim, Germany
Norman
Clermont-Ferrand, France
Colima, Mexico
Seika, Japan (Friendship City)
Oklahoma City
Haikou City, China
Puebla, Mexico
Tainan, Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan
Yehud, Israel
Ulyanovsk, Russia
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Pawhuska
Montauban, France
Ponca City
Baiyin, Gansu Province, China
Shawnee
Nikaho, Japan
Stillwater
Kameoka, Japan
Stroud
Stroud, Australia
Stroud, Canada
Stroud, England
Tahlequah
Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles
Tulsa
Beihai, China
Amiens, France
Celle, Germany
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Tiberias, Israel
Utsunomiya, Japan
Zelenograd, Russia
Yukon
Krnov, Czech Republic
What Makes it Work
Commitment, creativity, cooperation, and communication are at the heart of all successful sister city programs. Once two cities from across the world are linked together, the way is clear for business relationships to be forged and friendships to be formed.
For more information about Sister City programs, contact Priscilla Harris, Oklahoma state coordinator of Sister Cities International at prisharris@sbcglobal.net or log onto www.sister-cities.org.
OKLAHOMA'S SISTER STATES
Gansu Province, China
How It Began
1984: In September, Governor George Nigh and Governor Chen Guangyi met in Beijing and declared their intention to establish a sister state relationship between the State of Oklahoma and the Province of Gansu. In October, the State Council of the People's Republic of China approved the establishment of sister state relations with Oklahoma. A month later, a two-member delegation from the Oklahoma Economic Development Department and the Oklahoma Taxation Commission visited Gansu.
Highlights of the Relationship Between the State of Oklahoma and the Province of Gansu
June 1985: Governor Chen led a Gansu government delegation on a two-week visit to Oklahoma. Governor Nigh and Governor Chen signed a sister state agreement between the State of Oklahoma and Gansu Province at the Capitol Building in Oklahoma City. The agreement areas included education, culture, petroleum, manufacturing, trade and agricultural exchanges. Governor Chen planted a Redbud tree in the south garden of the Capitol Building.
August 1985: Governor Nigh led an Oklahoma delegation to Gansu. Vice-Governor Hou Zongbin and Governor Nigh discussed cultural and educational exchanges, animal husbandry and other opportunities for economic and technological cooperation. The Gansu Bureau of Natural Resource Protection and the Oklahoma City Zoo signed an animal exchange agreement. Governor Nigh planted a friendship tree in the Lanzhou Five Spring Hill Park.
September 1986: The Deputy Directors of the Gansu Department of Education led a higher education delegation to Oklahoma. Their visit resulted in the establishment of sister school relations and an educational and scientific research cooperation agreement with the University of Oklahoma.
January 1987: Oklahoma City University became the first university in the U.S. to provide a master's degree in education in China.
November 1987: A four-member delegation from the Gansu Foreign Economy & Trade Department attended the U.S.-China trade conference in Tulsa. Former President Carter and Governor Bellman addressed the participants. A block from the Great Wall was presented at the conference.
July 1988: Secretary of Commerce Donald Paulsen led a delegation to Lanzhou. Oklahoma business representatives and the Gansu Department of Machinery Industry signed an intentional agreement for cooperation. AVSI International and Lanzhou Machine Building Co. signed an agreement to jointly develop management computer software for Lanzhou Electric Motor Plant.
October - November 1988: The Gansu Planning Commission led a goodwill mission to Oklahoma and signed agreements to train petroleum engineers from Gansu in Oklahoma. The purpose of this training was to help Gansu promote its oil extraction equipment internationally.
January 1990: Secretary of Commerce Donald Paulsen led a 14-member delegation of Oklahoma officials and entrepreneurs to China and discussed opportunities for broadening the cooperation between the State of Oklahoma and Gansu Province.
September 1990: Vice-Governor Zhang Wule led a government delegation to Oklahoma to participate in Gansu Week. Vice-Governor Zhang met with local government officials and U.S. Senators Nickles and Boren.
September 1991: The Gansu Provincial Government decided to establish a Foreign Trade Office in Oklahoma.
February - March 1992: The Director of the Gansu Commission on Foreign Economy and Trade opened a Gansu Chamber of Commerce office in Oklahoma.
November 1994: Governor David Walters led a government mission to Gansu to discuss possible cooperation on energy projects. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in recognition of the ten-year anniversary of the Sister State relationship between Oklahoma and Gansu.
June 1995: Governor Frank Keating hosted a delegation led by Governor Zhang Wule in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the sister state relationship. The two governors signed agreements in the areas of the saline-alkali soil, environmental protection technology, oil extraction equipment, etc.
July 1997: The President of the Gansu Rural Information Association led a 15-member delegation to Oklahoma to explore opportunities for agricultural cooperation. The delegation visited Oklahoma State University (OSU), the OSU Food Technology Center, a pig farm, the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, and the Von Tungeln family.
December 2000: Lu Kejian, Chairman of the Gansu People's Congress, led a seven-member delegation to Oklahoma and introduced Gansu's plan for the development of Western China. He invited Oklahomans to visit Gansu to explore business opportunities. Governor Nigh hosted a luncheon in honor of the 15th anniversary of the sister state relationship between Oklahoma and Gansu. The delegation met with State Senator Kelly Haney, Lieutenant Governor Fallin, ODOC, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture (ODA), the Oklahoma State Chamber, and the Oklahoma City Chamber.
November 2001: Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Howard led a 30-member business and government delegation to Western China. Delegation members met with over 100 businesses in Gansu alone. Three agreements were signed, including a Gansu/Oklahoma Agricultural Youth Exchange in 2002, a strategic alliance between the Oklahoma State Chamber and the Gansu Chamber, and a reaffirmation of the Sister State relationship between the State of Oklahoma and Gansu Province. Governor Keating was unable to lead the delegation due to unexpected back pain that made extended air travel impossible.
April 2002: The State Chamber, in cooperation with the Oklahoma City Chamber and other statewide organizations and ODOC held a highly successful trade conference, "The Silk Road Meets Route 66" was attended by 137 Chinese leaders from CCPIT, Gansu Governor Lu Hao and other business and government delegations as well as 60 students from the Lanzhou #1 Middle School philharmonic orchestra. Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating and Gansu Governor Lu Hao signed a re-affirmation of the sister State Agreement.
August 2002: Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating led the Oklahoma mission of 30 business and Government representatives to Beijing, Lanzhou, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics and the #1 Lanzhou Middle School signed a sister school relationship. Governor Keating opened the festivities at the Lanzhou International Conference.
February 2003: Baiyin City Mayor Zhou Duoming led 8-member delegation to Oklahoma. Baiyin is located in Gansu Province. Delegation attended the Sister Cities State meeting in Stillwater and was hosted by the City of Ponca City. Senator Kelly Haney representing Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation discussed establishing a Sister relationship with Baiyin.
June 2004: Governor Brad Henry led a Business, Cultural and Education Mission to the province of Gansu and the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, China from June 17 to June 28, 2004. The guiding principle of the mission was, "Exploring the intersections of business and education for developing relations in China." The delegation of 57 people participated in a program set by the Gansu Foreign Affairs Office including watering the Tree of Friendship in Spring Park.
KYOTO PREFECTURE
How It Began
1983: In April, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Bernard visited Kyoto and made a courtesy call to Governor Hayashida and then Vice-Governor Aramaki. During this call, a conference/discussion was held regarding sister-city relationships. In October of that year, Governor Hayashida visited America and participated in a meeting between Japanese and American governors. In September 1984, Governor George Nigh visited Kyoto and made a courtesy call on Governor Hayashida and Vice-Governor Aramaki. In November, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Bernard visited Kyoto and made a courtesy call to Governor Hayashida as well. During this visit, they discussed a proposal for signing a sister-city relationship during the State Fair. After several other visits back and forth between Kyoto Prefecture and Oklahoma, a sister state signing ceremony was held in Kyoto in September1985.
Highlights of the Relationship Between the State of Oklahoma and Kyoto Prefecture
July 1986: Governor George Nigh visited Kyoto for an investment promotion mission.
May 1987: Lieutenant Governor Robert Kerr visited Kyoto for an investment promotion mission.
November 1987: Governor Henry Bellmon and Lieutenant Governor Robert Kerr visited Kyoto in which they called on Governor Aramaki and visited the World Historical City Expo
October 1988: Clayton Bennet, Vice-Chairman of the Sports Association for Oklahoma's Centennial, called on Governor Aramaki and attended the Kyoto National Athletic Meet
July 1989: Kyoto Prefecture Sports Delegation visited the U.S. Olympics Festival
October 1992: Lieutenant Governor Jack Mildren visited Kyoto for investment promotion mission meeting with Governor Aramaki
September 1996: Governor Aramaki visited Oklahoma in celebration of the 10th year anniversary of sister-city relationship
October 1997: Governor Frank Keating called on Governor Aramaki in Kyoto, as well as visited various spots within the prefecture, and talked with economic organizations
October 1999: Governor Keating visited Japan to attend the Japan-Southern U.S. Conference. During this visit, Governor Keating hosted a dinner banquet in Tokyo that Governor Aramaki attended.
September 2000: Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin visited Kyoto to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Kyoto-Oklahoma friendship agreement. In October, a citizen's delegation also visited Kyoto in commemoration of the 15th anniversary.
June 2002: Prefectural friendship assembly was held. Reception hosted by Oklahoma State, City of Norman, University of Oklahoma, Japan-Oklahoma Association
June 2004: Governor Brad Henry led a delegation to Kyoto. A protocol meeting was held with Governor Yamada. A luncheon and tea ceremony was hosted by the Kyoto Prefectural government.
To date, there are three sister city or friendship city relationships between Oklahoma cities and cities in Kyoto that share their own individual exchange programs. These relationships are: Norman-Seika; Stillwater-Kameoka; Grove-Miyama.
Annual Programs/Events
International Young Artists Competition
Since its inception in 1998, all middle school and high school Tulsa area artists are encouraged to compete with other young artists from Tulsa's Sister Cities in this annual art contest. This International Young Artists Competition was inspired by the annual education exchange program, sponsored by the Lieutenant Governor since 1985.
Locally judged, the first place Tulsa area entry receives $50 and the Tulsa Sister Cities overall winner will receive $75. All first place artwork is entered in the Sister City International Young Artists Competition. Ten first place international winners receive a $300 award and the artwork is displayed at the 2004 Sister City International Annual Conference. For more information or to view previous award-winning artworks, visit www.tulsaglobalalliance.org.
College Student Delegation
Since 1985, the office of the Lieutenant Governor has sponsored annual delegations of Oklahoma students to visit Kyoto Prefecture and experience Japanese culture first-hand. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor solicits participation from colleges and universities throughout the State and applications go through a strict screening process.
The application process usually opens at the beginning of the spring semester of the academic year. Please check back with us at this website for updates regarding this year's program and application process.
Contact:
Dessie Apostolova
918-594-8412
800-879-6552
