Background to Sister Cities and Town Twinning
Sister Cities
Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between the United States of America and international communities. It strives to build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development.
Sister Cities International is a leader for local community development and volunteer action. It motivates and empower private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders to conduct long-term sister city programs. Sister Cities International believe that sister city programs involve two-way communication and should mutually benefit partnering communities.
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Learn more about Sister Cities International [ website link ]
European Wide Town Twinning Associations
Town twinning has long been an important mechanism for developing active European citizenship and a sense of shared identity. That is the reason why the new Europe for Citizens programme gives it a prominent position, expands its forms and activities, and allows it to develop its potential.
The modern idea of town twinning in Europe was born as a grassroots initiative in the aftermath of World War II to heal the wounds of that traumatic conflict. It is one of the most visible and lasting ways of bringing people from different countries together under the European banner, which is why the EU has been supporting it since 1989. Today, thousands of twinning links in Europe create a powerful and robust network of citizens who are playing an important role in constructing an ever-closer Union. Twining promotes mutual understanding, and is a conduit for cultural exchanges across the social spectrum. EU support for town twinning injects a structuring effect and strengthens the strategic direction, as well as the European content, of such activities.
One major advantage of town twinning is that it involves large numbers of citizens directly, driving home the benefits of EU integration at the local level and helping citizens from different Member States to create a strong feeling of belonging and of a common European identity.
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Learn more about European wide town twinning associations [ website link ]
CARLOW TOWN
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European Town Twinning
1992: Carlow Town twinned with Dole in the Dijon region of France.
1993: Carlow Town twinned with Northwich in Cheshire, England.
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Sister Cities
1998: Carlow Town twinned with Tempe, Arizona, USA.
COUNTY CARLOW
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Sister Cities
2007: Carlow County twinned with Davenport, Iowa, USA.
Davenport, with a population of just under 100,000, is the third largest city in Iowa. It is a place proud of its unique heritage at the crossroads of America. Geographically defined by the unusual path of the Mississippi River; the only place where the Mississippi runs from east to west; its citizens like to say that the sun always shines on their city. Today, its rays are brighter than ever.
Learn more about Davenport, Iowa [ website link ]
MUINEBHEAG
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European Town Twinning
1999: Muinebheag twinned with Pont Pean in France.
Learn more about Pont Pean, France [ website link ]