Wilmington's Sister Cities
President Dwight D. Eisenhower is credited with initiating an international outreach program between the United States and foreign nations. Sister Cities International, the resulting program, began in 1956 to promote peace and understanding of other countries and other cultures by Americans.
Not surprisingly, the organization's mantra is "Peace Through Understanding." To reach its goal, the program strives to develop economic, educational and cultural exchanges, extend goodwill and expressions of cooperation to other nations and link businesses around the globe. Approximately 1,100 American cities have SCI affiliations with 1,900 corresponding cities in 120 countries.
Wilmington entered the program in September 1986, forming the Sister City Commission. This 20-member commission's mandate is to gain community participation, promote awareness and encourage exchanges in business, trade, technology, education, culture and the arts. In 2002, Wilmington has established Sister City ties with three cities — Dandong, China; Doncaster, England, and Bridgetown, Barbados.
Dandong, People's Republic of China — Wilmington and Dandong established Sister City ties in 1986 after a series of delegations and exchanges. Dandong, like Wilmington, is a port city in a highly industrialized region. The area's residents, numbering 2.4 million, work primarily in agriculture, aquaculture, electronics and textiles, not too far a stretch from Wilmington's regional economy. Benefits of the program include exchanges in business and the arts, sister schools, a Sister Port agreement and a joint sponsorship of an English teacher from Wilmington working in the Dandong teachers' college.
Doncaster, England — Wilmington acquired this second Sister City in 1989. Located north of London in South Yorkshire, Doncaster is an ancient city compared to Wilmington yet it has the railroad in common. Or, as in Wilmington's case, a rich history of it. Doncaster, a major railway center, is also the center of England's mining industry. Lively exchanges between the two countries involve government officials, business and trade representatives, tourists and students. Sports and a sharing of the arts are additional links — the Wilmington Boys Choir, the Wheatsheaf Singers, the Doncaster Jazz Ensemble as well as school soccer teams.
Bridgetown, Barbados
— Perhaps of the three, Bridgeport and Wilmington have the most in common.
The long history of trade between the island and the Carolinas dates back to
the 17th century and the resulting immigration is considered the source of
shared social and cultural characteristics. Tourism is another shared
industry. Negotiations are still in the works to formalize their Sister City
agreement, but the universities of both towns have already joined forces.
The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and UNC Wilmington have
worked out a collaboration agreement for an exchange in education.