WHO ARE WE?

Our local board of SCI of Oklahoma City is comprised of a variety of citizens from the community who are the backbone of most sister city programs. Through the support of City Hall, local businesses and individuals, we are able to directly participate in municipal, business, professional, environmental, educational and cultural exchanges.

We recruit members from various professions, ethnics and religious groups, both men and women of varying ages and those with disabilities. A broad membership base allows us to bring more extensive experience to bare on our programs and exchanges.

OUR GOALS

• Develop municipal partnerships between Oklahoma City and our sister cities.
• Provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships.
• Create an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened.
• 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.
• Collaborate with organizations in the United States and other countries which share similar goals.

HISTORY

Sister city, country and state affiliations between the United States and other nations began shortly after World War II and developed into a national initiative when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the “People to People” program at a White House conference in 1956. Originally a part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International (SCI) became a separate, nonprofit corporation in 1967 due to tremendous growth and popularity.

WHAT OUR ALLIANCES DO

Our alliances with our sister cities provide an arena for periodic exchanges and programs allowing us to study society, technology, the environment, and culture. The cross-culturally sensitive feedback provides an opportunity for the exploration of the complex layers of culture such as the changing of women in society, child rearing methods or how decisions are made in local government or business.

HOW OUR ALLIANCES WORK

Through regular meetings, communication and the planning of events, we maintain an active program. Low-cost exchanges may include the communication between the mayors of our sister cities, along with annual reports and city planning, or the exchange of children’s artwork and letters between sister school programs. Often interesting articles on topics including society, technology or business are exchanged along with movies or speeches that celebrate the culture of a sister city.

It is essential from time to time that we participate in larger exchanges such as international student and teacher exchanges, guest speakers or internships for municipal city officials and young business leaders. Our friendships with our sister cities have yielded positive, life-transforming experiences and continue to give us insight through cultural gifts including performing arts exhibition and business seminars. While involving local government, media, volunteers and businesses, we gain an extensive knowledge on a global basis and our programs reach their full potential.