Colorado Springs Sister Cities International

Colorado Springs Sister Cities International is a dedicated group of individuals that promotes cultural, educational, humanitarian and economic relationships with cities throughout the world. Relationships and exchanges are made by formal agreement with selected global partners at the municipal government level.

The Sister City program began in 1962 when Colorado Springs became partners with the city of Fujiyoshida, Japan. Other cities include Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Smolensk, Russia; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico; and Bankstown, Australia.

CSSCI is recognized by Sister Cities International (SCI), a citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities to increase global cooperation at the local level. The Sister City approach to international exchanges centers on citizen-to-citizen diplomacy. Sister Cities International was founded in 1956 by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It remains renowned worldwide as a distinguished people-to-people program that fosters international understanding. SCI works to promote cultural understanding, social development and economic growth, and as a national membership organization officially certifies links between U.S. communities and those abroad to ensure their sustained commitment and success in this mission. The SCI network represents more than 2,100 communities in 121 countries around the world and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.