Mission
To connect Birmingham with the world
Vision
International opportunity for all
About Us
Connecting globally to thrive locally.
At Birmingham Sister Cities, we’re first and foremost a connector of people.
Committed to building bridges and creating relationships across the globe, we embody the values of global citizenship and believe in the power of grassroots, city-to-city, people-to-people diplomacy.
Birmingham Sister Cities is part of a network that unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in nearly 500 member communities with over 2,000 partnerships in more than 140 countries throughout the world.
A better world in the making
What we do
You can call us international bridge builders.
Building bridges between Birmingham and the world provides opportunities for meaningful connection, enriching cultural experiences, and immersive exchanges of traditions, knowledge, customs and concepts. Our work broadens horizons, fosters economic development and promotes a more peaceful and prosperous world.
All Sister Cities programs are designed to support our mission to connect Birmingham with the world through our core pillars of Engage, Enrich, and Exchange.
Foundations of Peace
About Sister Cities International
In 1965, President Dwight D. Eisenhower introduced the concept of a people-to-people citizen diplomacy initiative, which became the U.S. Sister City program.
Sister Cities International was founded in 1967 as a nonprofit organization to further promote cultural understanding and increase global cooperation.
Our Values
Cross-cultural connection
We believe in bridging divides by facilitating connections and purposeful engagements across diverse communities.
Citizen diplomacy
We embrace the power of grassroots goodwill and person-to-person interactions to create positive global change.
Global perspective
We instill the mindsets, skills and global competencies that allow people to thrive in our interconnected world.
Inclusiveness
We keep programs affordable, accessible, and welcoming to people of all backgrounds.
Collaboration
We leverage local and international networks and partnerships to expand our ideas, our reach and our impact.
Peacebuilding
We foster connections that transcend politics and borders and spread understanding vital for for world peace.
Our Timeline
From the beginning
Over the past 40 years, we have helped shape the Birmingham region into a thriving hub of international collaboration and cultural enrichment, and today, we’re using that position to fuel the city’s growth on a global scale.
We’re preparing an historical overview of all we’ve accomplished to date, and we look forward to sharing it with you soon.
Check back regularly for updates.
