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Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development
[last updated April 1, 2004 5:11 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeJanuary 2003 - September 2006 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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| Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Global
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Argentina, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russian Federation, Senegal, South Africa, Tajikistan, Ukraine |
National Focal Points
This partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
Sister Cities International is creating a network of sister city partnerships committed to implementing the concepts of sustainable development, as outlined by the international community. Through innovative, cross-cultural projects, sister city partners will demonstrate that locally based actions can: (a) be a catalyst for advancing sustainable development concepts throughout the world; (b) improve the quality of life for citizens within their communities; (c) advance the knowledge and practice of sustainable development through long-term, sustainable relationships; (d) mutually reinforce and integrate the goals of good governance, sustainable economic development, social development and environmental stewardship; and (e) achieve concrete results through partnerships with the public and private sector.
The Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development will involve sister city communities and their citizens, international and U.S. non-governmental organizations, multilateral organizations, corporations, foundations and other major donors to address a variety of issues related to sustainable development as outlined in the United Nations' Agenda 21, the Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the Millennium Development Goals. Using the Sister Cities Internaitonal "model," sister city partnerships will promote the participation of local citizens in all levels of program development, including identifying project areas, suggesting and designing solutions, overseeing implementation and evaluating results.
The Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development will involve sister city communities and their citizens, international and U.S. non-governmental organizations, multilateral organizations, corporations, foundations and other major donors to address a variety of issues related to sustainable development as outlined in the United Nations' Agenda 21, the Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the Millennium Development Goals. Using the Sister Cities Internaitonal "model," sister city partnerships will promote the participation of local citizens in all levels of program development, including identifying project areas, suggesting and designing solutions, overseeing implementation and evaluating results.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsThe Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development will increase the ability of member communities to design and deliever effective institutional and community-based programs that incorporate innovative solutions around the issues of sustainable development. The Network is designed to achieve the following results over the initial three-year period: (1) A functional and dynamic Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development will be created and sustained by Sister Cities International. (2) At least 50 active sister city partnerships will have achieved substantive results in promoting the concepts of sustainable development at the community level. (3) Twenty-five corporations and foundations will become Network partners, providing funding over the three-year period. These funds will be divided among the local communities and Sister Cities International with seventy-five percent going to 50 siter city partnerships as "seed grants" to initiate local projects. (4) Each sister cities partnership will leverage additional resources (cash or in-kind) over the three-year period, bringing in significant local funding. (5) A location on the Sister Cities International Web site (www.sister-cities.org) will be devoted to the Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development and will feature project outcomes, on-going work, and international information on sustainable development. The SCI Web site currently offers instantaneous translation in ten languages for e-mail and text and has a state-of-the-art relational database, which will be used to store and retrieve project results.
The first phase of this initiative will be achieved by 2006, the 50th Anniversary of Sister Cities International. |
Progress against targetsFollowing SCI's participation in the Johannesburg Summit, significant efforts were undertaken to formalize the Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development. Sister Cities International secured an agreement with Standard & Poor's to support sister city activities on issues of transparency and openness. The Web site and the rules for membership were completed and Network staff contacted interested U.S. sister city organizations about joining the network. Efforts were also undertaken to seek out additional partners and a fundraising plan was devised for 2003. The Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development was officially announced on January 1, 2003 to the general membership of Sister Cities International.
The following organizations are partners of the Sister Cities Network for Sustainable Development: The World Bank Institute; Standard & Poor's; UN HABITAT; Citrix Systems, Inc.; PADCO, Inc.; International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Sister Cities International continue to solicit support from corporations, foundations and other non-governmental organizations in an effort to secure additional financial and technical resources for the members of the Network. |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
- Institutional strengthening, including local participation
Local member communities will work with their international partners in ways that will benefit each community, but they may consider
- Exchange visits of citizens, government officials, and private sector professionals centered on a specific issue
- Joint analysis of the chosen issue in both communities through dialogue and written reports
- Facilitated meetings of community stakeholders in both communities where all aspects of the issue can be examined and the group can arrive at solutions
- Information sessions for participants that will bring together professionals in the field, citizens who are affected by government and private sector decisions, and other stakeholders.
Sister Cities International will contact and advise the local sister city communities participating in the program and will handle the necessary support activities to ensure project success. Training, technical and logistical support will be secured either through the local sister city partnerships or through the funding mechanism, as donors will be encouraged to provide in-kind as well as monetary assistance. Sister Cities International will continue to support the sister city relationships that will make the Network a success in their day-to-day activities.
SCI will seek the appropriate donors to supply the necessary technical support through in-kind donation or monetary assistance.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
The Network will: (1) pursue an integrated approach to sustainable development as outlined in Agenda 21; (2) perform its work at the local level with a focus upon challenges with global implications; (3) promote the involvement of local citizens in identifying project areas, suggesting and designing solutions, overseeing implementation, and evaluating results; (4) build and sustain local institutional capacity to undertake sustainable community development and use national organizations such as municipal associations to provide the broadest dissemination of the results; and (5) establish formal partnerships with donors and other associations/organizations committed to the goals of the Network.
The Sister City Network for Sustainable Development seeks to address the three pillars of sustainable development by working on a variety of projects at the local level. Specific examples of projects that address economic issues, which are not mutually exclusive, include clean and renewable energy; energy efficiency; energy efficient consumer products; technology and sustainable economic development; eco-tourism; micro-financing; downtown redevelopment; alternative transportation; trade; and urban architecture and its role in sustainable development.
In addition, the Network will facilitate a variety of environmental projects aimed at improving the local environmental conditions in which communities are situated and ensuring the balance between human and ecological needs is maintained in a sustainable manner. Specific projects that seek to address these issues, which are not mutually exclusive, include the protection of open spaces; park development; land preservation; air quality; indoor and industrial air pollution; transportation; solid waste management; clean and safe drinking water; waste water treatment and management; water quality improvement; and water conservation.
Finally, the Network will also work on a number of projects that fall within the realm of social development. SCI recognizes that a community's strength begins with its citizens, and its ability to adapt to changing environmental, economic, and political conditions requires strong, flexible institutions, well-developed human and social capital and significant investment in and maintenance of essential goods and services. Specific projects that will be undertaken that address these concepts, which are not mutually exclusive, include transparency and openness; citizen involvement in local governance; public-private partnerships; emergency preparedness; affordable housing; basic education; art and culture; accessibility for all; addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic; child survival; infectious diseases; nutrition and maternal health; and population issues. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
The Sister City Network for Sustainable Development seeks to address the three pillars of sustainable development by working on a variety of projects at the local level. Specific examples of projects that address economic issues, which are not mutually exclusive, include clean and renewable energy; energy efficiency; energy efficient consumer products; technology and sustainable economic development; eco-tourism; micro-financing; downtown redevelopment; alternative transportation; trade; and urban architecture and its role in sustainable development.
In addition, the Network will facilitate a variety of environmental projects aimed at improving the local environmental conditions in which communities are situated and ensuring the balance between human and ecological needs is maintained in a sustainable manner. Specific projects that seek to address these issues, which are not mutually exclusive, include the protection of open spaces; park development; land preservation; air quality; indoor and industrial air pollution; transportation; solid waste management; clean and safe drinking water; waste water treatment and management; water quality improvement; and water conservation.
Finally, the Network will also work on a number of projects that fall within the realm of social development. SCI recognizes that a community's strength begins with its citizens, and its ability to adapt to changing environmental, economic, and political conditions requires strong, flexible institutions, well-developed human and social capital and significant investment in and maintenance of essential goods and services. Specific projects that will be undertaken that address these concepts, which are not mutually exclusive, include transparency and openness; citizen involvement in local governance; public-private partnerships; emergency preparedness; affordable housing; basic education; art and culture; accessibility for all; addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic; child survival; infectious diseases; nutrition and maternal health; and population issues. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Combating poverty; Integrating environment and development in decision-making; Protection of the atmosphere; Integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources; Protection of the quality and supply of freshwater resources: application of integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources; Environmentally sound management of solid wastes and sewage-related issues; Children and youth in sustainable development; Local authorities' initiatives in support of Agenda 21; Financial resources and mechanisms; Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacity-building; Promoting education, public awareness and training; Information for decision-making
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Integration of economic, social and environmental objectives; Sectors and issues; Means of implementation
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Poverty eradication ; Protection and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development ; Sustainable development in a globalizing world ; Health and sustainable development ; Means of implementation ; Participation of major groups
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the Partnership*The Network administrator will actively encourage local sister city organizations to become involved in the Network.
* All current members of SCI will be notified of the establishment of the Sustainability Network and will be supplied, at their request, with information about sustainable development. * Communities with partners in developing and transitional countries will be given special encouragement to participate, as these cities have the greatest challenges in terms of sustainable development. * Communities will be given considerable latitude in choosing the kinds of issues they wish to address, and SCI will link those issues with the interests of the corporate partners. - A workshop on the Network will be held at SCI's annual international conferences. - Information will be disseminated through the SCI newsletter and its Web site. - A special location on the SCI website will be established to connect all the communities, and to disseminate information to the public at large. The Network will be linked through an e-newsletter, e-bulletins, and an interactive discussion board. - The Network administrator will compile key information about sustainable development and will make this available to all participating communities. This information will also be made available on the SCI website - The Network administrator will present the findings from the first 50 projects at an international conference. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipThe Network will demonstrate that citizens and their local governments can effectively address critical sustainability issues at the community level working within a cross cultural framework and an international perspective. It will build upon the outcomes of the WSSD, as well as the work being performed by UN Habitat, the urban development arm of the United Nations, and the many groups who have contributed to the knowledge base of sustainable development.
The SCI Network administrator will be charged with implementing the Network design; contacting and advising the local sister city communities on undertaking sustainability projects with their international partners; and generally ensuring success of the project. * Once local communities have contacted their partners and indicated an interest in participating in the network they will be asked to submit a brief proposal for a seed grant to undertake the project and sign a sub-agreement with SCI. The specific results of the Network will be reported on the SCI website, through the newly created on-line relational database. SCI is in the process of establishing a set of evaluation criteria, against which all projects undertaken through the network will be monitored and evaluated. In addition, the work of the Network will be featured in SCI monthly publications, and will receive special attention during SCI's annual conferences. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 350000
Source(s): Government - Private sector - IGO - NGO
Us Department of State - $50,000 for sustainable development seed grants for partnerships in Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the Balkans; World Bank Institute - $180,000 for Network support and a joint initiative to address the Millennium Development Goals at the community level; Standard & Poor's - $10,000 for specific projects related to transparency and openness; Citrix Systems, Inc. - $50,000 for development of the Network; PADCO, Inc. - $50,000 for development of the Network; ICMA - $10,000 for a Resource Cities program sustainability study; potential for additional support through the ICMA CityLinks program. |
Non-financial resources availableType(s):
Source(s):
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Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: 1250000
Source(s) already approached: Sister Cities International is seeking an additional $1,250,000 to bring our funding to its desired level over the next three years. Funding is sought from corporations, foundations, government agency grants, and partnership resources through non-governmental and other organizations.
Corporate/Foundation Sources: Twenty-five corporations and foundations will be asked to support the Network over the three-year period. Seventy-five percent of these funds will go to 50 sister city partnerships as "seed grants" to initiate local projects. Each sister cities partnership will leverage additional resources over the three-year period, bringing in significant funding. Additional Sources: Sister Cities International is currently pursuing a number of grant opportunities from the US Department of State and other foundations and local organizations. |
Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
Background on Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International is a nonprofit, citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities to increase global cooperation at the local level. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Sister Cities International promotes sustainable development, youth involvement, cultural understanding, and humanitarian assistance. As an international membership organization, Sister Cities International officially certifies, represents, and supports partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, state and similar jurisdictions in other countries to ensure their continued commitment and success. The Sister Cities Internationl network represents more than 2,100 communities in 122 countries around the world.
Sister city, county and state affiliations between the United States and other countries 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 summit in 1956. Originally a part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International became a separate, nonprofit corporation in 1967 due to the tremendous growth and popularity of the U.S. program. In 2002, Sister Cities International opened its membership to the international community, allowing international communities with a recognized U.S. partner to become full members.
Sister Cities International's goals are to:
* Develop municipal partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, states and similar jurisdictions in other countries
* 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
* Create stimulating environments where communities can creatively learn, work and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects.
Sister Cities International is committed to making international exchanges rewarding to communities across the world. It assists local sister city committees in serving as models of citizen activism, mobilizing municipal officials and volunteers to address community needs, and working with the private and public sectors to secure resources to meet those needs. Sister cities have a unique role to play in building bridges to communities in developing and transitional countries. They
* Build long-term sustainable community partnerships that last for decades;
* Undertake cost effective projects and activities that are primarily achieved through community fundraising and community volunteerism;
* Produce tangible and meaningful results that impact people's lives at the community level and significantly contribute to a community's overall quality of life;
* Build bridges of cross-cultural understanding that penetrate deeply into the life and fabric of an entire community; and
* Mobilize the resources and commitment from all sectors of a community, thereby focusing attention and resources upon community priorities.
Accomplishments
Sister Cities International's strength is in the ability of people to help people at the community level. It has received many grants from a variety of foundation and government sources in the last 47 years that have allowed it to build its extensive international network. Sister Cities International administers projects from the international office through sub-agreements with community organizations. Local organizations are drawn into the program through workshops at the annual conference, through its publications and Web site, and through direct contact. Recent SCI projects include:
* A grant from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (U.S. Department of State) to address violence against women and children. Twelve sister city partnerships participated in the program and helped more than 30 NGOs in former Soviet Union countries to strengthen their ability to deal with this issue through technical assistance and training. (Project completed in March 2002)
* A 20-city Municipal Community Problem Solving Program (MCPSP) funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (U.S. Department of State) that brought together sister city partners in the NIS to focus upon specific challenges facing local governments. (Project completed in 2001)
* Sister Cities International is partnered with the Wheelchair Foundation through the Wheelchairs for Peace program to send containers of wheelchairs (240) to those international sister cities in need. (Ongoing project)
* SCI received a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (U.S. Department of State) to address emergency preparedness needs in four communities in predominantly Muslim countries to exchange emergency preparedness officials to share information about preparing for unexpected community-wide occurrences. (Project to be completed in September 2004)
Projects undertaken by the Sister Cities International on behalf of the local communities cover a broad range of topics and interests, many of which address substantive issues of concern to both cities. The local communities on their own undertake a full range of exchanges and joint projects. Some recent environmental programs are:
* Portland, Oregon and Khabarovsk, Russia participated in the MCPSP project by analysing the issue of solid waste management and recycling in Khabarovsk. The Portland team, composed of sister city leaders and environmental experts, visited Khabarovsk and, together with civic leaders there, developed a comprehensive solid waste management program for the city of Khabarovsk, emphasizing recycling programs and improvement of solid waste and disposal methods. More information on this project is available at http://www.pksca.org/develope.html.
* The city of Tula in Russia called on its sister city, Albany, New York, for help with its inadequate and contaminated water supply. The project began with exchanges of water engineers and other professionals, followed by a set of solutions arrived at jointly by the two cities. Tula still faces financial and political problems with implementing the recommendations, but with the help of their sister city, they have seen their concerns addressed and a clear water crisis averted.
* The Tempe, Arizona, Sister Cities Corporation implemented an environmental project with its sister city, Timbuktu, Mali. Severe drought in Mali prompted the Tempe organization to establish a 'Garden of Peace' project, a reforestation effort in Mali with trees donated by Tempe citizens. The Tempe group also assisted in the construction of five wells in and around Timbuktu, assuring the people there of a sustainable water supply.
* Denver, Colorado and Axum, Ethiopia are working together on a project to update the water system in the Ethiopian city. While the project is in its early stages-the Denver sister city program is currently raising funds-the project is designed to give Axum a sustainable water supply.
Sister Cities International is a nonprofit, citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities to increase global cooperation at the local level. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Sister Cities International promotes sustainable development, youth involvement, cultural understanding, and humanitarian assistance. As an international membership organization, Sister Cities International officially certifies, represents, and supports partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, state and similar jurisdictions in other countries to ensure their continued commitment and success. The Sister Cities Internationl network represents more than 2,100 communities in 122 countries around the world.
Sister city, county and state affiliations between the United States and other countries 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 summit in 1956. Originally a part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International became a separate, nonprofit corporation in 1967 due to the tremendous growth and popularity of the U.S. program. In 2002, Sister Cities International opened its membership to the international community, allowing international communities with a recognized U.S. partner to become full members.
Sister Cities International's goals are to:
* Develop municipal partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, states and similar jurisdictions in other countries
* 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
* Create stimulating environments where communities can creatively learn, work and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects.
Sister Cities International is committed to making international exchanges rewarding to communities across the world. It assists local sister city committees in serving as models of citizen activism, mobilizing municipal officials and volunteers to address community needs, and working with the private and public sectors to secure resources to meet those needs. Sister cities have a unique role to play in building bridges to communities in developing and transitional countries. They
* Build long-term sustainable community partnerships that last for decades;
* Undertake cost effective projects and activities that are primarily achieved through community fundraising and community volunteerism;
* Produce tangible and meaningful results that impact people's lives at the community level and significantly contribute to a community's overall quality of life;
* Build bridges of cross-cultural understanding that penetrate deeply into the life and fabric of an entire community; and
* Mobilize the resources and commitment from all sectors of a community, thereby focusing attention and resources upon community priorities.
Accomplishments
Sister Cities International's strength is in the ability of people to help people at the community level. It has received many grants from a variety of foundation and government sources in the last 47 years that have allowed it to build its extensive international network. Sister Cities International administers projects from the international office through sub-agreements with community organizations. Local organizations are drawn into the program through workshops at the annual conference, through its publications and Web site, and through direct contact. Recent SCI projects include:
* A grant from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (U.S. Department of State) to address violence against women and children. Twelve sister city partnerships participated in the program and helped more than 30 NGOs in former Soviet Union countries to strengthen their ability to deal with this issue through technical assistance and training. (Project completed in March 2002)
* A 20-city Municipal Community Problem Solving Program (MCPSP) funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (U.S. Department of State) that brought together sister city partners in the NIS to focus upon specific challenges facing local governments. (Project completed in 2001)
* Sister Cities International is partnered with the Wheelchair Foundation through the Wheelchairs for Peace program to send containers of wheelchairs (240) to those international sister cities in need. (Ongoing project)
* SCI received a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (U.S. Department of State) to address emergency preparedness needs in four communities in predominantly Muslim countries to exchange emergency preparedness officials to share information about preparing for unexpected community-wide occurrences. (Project to be completed in September 2004)
Projects undertaken by the Sister Cities International on behalf of the local communities cover a broad range of topics and interests, many of which address substantive issues of concern to both cities. The local communities on their own undertake a full range of exchanges and joint projects. Some recent environmental programs are:
* Portland, Oregon and Khabarovsk, Russia participated in the MCPSP project by analysing the issue of solid waste management and recycling in Khabarovsk. The Portland team, composed of sister city leaders and environmental experts, visited Khabarovsk and, together with civic leaders there, developed a comprehensive solid waste management program for the city of Khabarovsk, emphasizing recycling programs and improvement of solid waste and disposal methods. More information on this project is available at http://www.pksca.org/develope.html.
* The city of Tula in Russia called on its sister city, Albany, New York, for help with its inadequate and contaminated water supply. The project began with exchanges of water engineers and other professionals, followed by a set of solutions arrived at jointly by the two cities. Tula still faces financial and political problems with implementing the recommendations, but with the help of their sister city, they have seen their concerns addressed and a clear water crisis averted.
* The Tempe, Arizona, Sister Cities Corporation implemented an environmental project with its sister city, Timbuktu, Mali. Severe drought in Mali prompted the Tempe organization to establish a 'Garden of Peace' project, a reforestation effort in Mali with trees donated by Tempe citizens. The Tempe group also assisted in the construction of five wells in and around Timbuktu, assuring the people there of a sustainable water supply.
* Denver, Colorado and Axum, Ethiopia are working together on a project to update the water system in the Ethiopian city. While the project is in its early stages-the Denver sister city program is currently raising funds-the project is designed to give Axum a sustainable water supply.