Distinctly Montana Magazine

T IE SIS SIS S A A M NTAN O ER CIT Montana has entered into a number of Sister City bonds. The list of Montana's Sister Cities includes: Bozeman Muren, Mongolia ButteAtensteig, Germany Havre Maple Creek, Saskatchewan LivingstonNaganohara, Japan MissoulaNeckargemuend, Germany and Palmerston, New Zealand 80 T he mission of Sister Cities InterBrian national is simple, yet profound: D'Ambrosio To promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time. By Sister Cities International was formed at President Eisenhower's 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy. Eisenhower imagined a new entity that could be "the hub of peace and prosperity" by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world. By forming these associations, President Eisenhower envisioned that people of "diverse cultures could celebrate and recognize the value of their differences." He predicted that the building of partnerships would decrease the chance of additional conflicts. Sister Cities International forms relationships based on cultural, social, educational, information and trade exchanges, creating lifelong friendships that provide "prosperity and peace through person-to-person citizen diplomacy." The educational and cultural exchanges have enriched many Montana communities by broadening our cultural diversity and global knowledge, say people affiliated with the program. Montanans have enjoyed a diverse assortment of informational and social exchanges that include music, sports, business, the performing and visual arts, and cultural festivals. Many Montanan students, teachers, performing artists, and residents have traveled abroad as part of the exchanges. Visitors to sister-regions are welcomed as potential business partners and as friends. These programs have helped to increase Montana's visibility as a tourist destination and a place of academics. distinctly montana • winter 2014

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