San Diego Sister Cities
Taking San Diego to the World, Bringing the World to San Diego.
Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House summit on citizen diplomacy, where he envisioned a network that would be a champion for peace and prosperity by fostering bonds between people from different communities around the world. President Eisenhower reasoned that people from different cultures could understand, appreciate, and celebrate their differences while building partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts.
Formed in 1993, SanDISCA was created as an umbrella organization for all Sixteen Sister City Societies of San Diego. SanDISCA works to maintain citizen–diplomat relations with each sister city while each individual sister society has its own membership, pursues its own mission and conducts its own cultural and educational programs.
SanDISCA’s mission as the umbrella organization is to increase the visibility, effectiveness, efficiency and viability of the City of San Diego’s Sister City Societies and to guide the development of proposed Sister City relationships, thereby supporting their missions in the areas of cultural, educational, and economic relationships. To promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.
“there is no more important work than that in which we are asking you to participate…the most worthwhile purpose there is in the world today: to help build the road to peace, to help build the road to an enduring peace.“
Dwight D. Eisenhower
34th President of the United States
White House Conference on Citizen Diplomacy
Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy. Eisenhower envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world. By forming these relationships, President Eisenhower reasoned that people of different cultures could celebrate and appreciate their differences and build partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts.
San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society
San Diego’s sister-city affiliation with Yokohama began in 1955 following a trip to Yokohama by the then Mayor Charles Dail and then Port Director John Bate to attend the Japan – American Pacific Area Conference of Mayors. On October 29, 1957 under Mayor Dail the City of San Diego approved an ordinance creating the San Diego Yokohama Friendship Commission governed by a board appointed by the City Council. 
León, Mexico
Under the leadership of Mayor Frank Curran, Resolution No. 197593 marked the official recognition of the Sister City relationship between the City of San Diego and Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. This decision was the result of dedicated efforts by a group of civic leaders, including members of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, who worked tirelessly to establish and maintain this valuable international connection. Leon, Guanajuato reciprocated by assembling a similar group of civic leaders, ensuring a consistent and mutually beneficial program of international municipal interchange 
Cavite City, Republic of the Philippines
With the adoption of Resolution No. 197969, Mayor Frank Curran and the San Diego City Council officially established a Sister City relationship between the City of San Diego and Cavite City, Cavite Province, in the Philippine Islands. This pioneering endeavor was the brainchild of a group of passionate civic leaders who united to create this meaningful international connection. Driven by a shared commitment to fostering cultural exchange and strengthening bonds between the two communities, this initiative set out to create enduring ties of friendship and collaboration. 
Tema, Republic of Ghana
On May 29th, 1976 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Tema was officially formed under Mayor Pete Wilson. 
Edinburgh, Scotland
On June 8th, 1977 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Edinburgh Scotland was officially formed under Mayor Pete Wilson. 
Alcala de Henares, Spain
On June 29th, 1982 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Alcala de Henares, Spain was officially formed under Mayor Pete Wilson. 
Jeonju, Republic of Korea
On December 12th, 1982 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Jeonju, Korea was officially formed under Mayor Pete Wilson. 
Taichung, Taiwan
On October 10th, 1982 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Taichung, Taiwan was officially formed under Mayor Roger Hedgecock. 
Yantai, China
On July 15th, 1985 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Alcala de Henares, Spain was officially formed under Mayor Roger Hedgecock 
Perth, Australia
On Monday, September 29, 1986 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Perth, Australia was officially formed under Mayor Maureen O'Conner. 
Vladivostok, Russia
On Monday, February 25, 1991 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Vladivostok, Russia was officially formed under Mayor Maureen O'Conner. 
Tijuana, Mexico
On Monday, July 12, 1993 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico was officially formed under Mayor Susan Golding. 
Campinas, Brazil
On Tuesday, January 31, 1995 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Alcala de Henares, Spain was officially formed under Mayor Pete Wilson. 
Warsaw Province, Poland
On Monday, December 4, 1995 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Warsaw Province, Poland was officially formed under Mayor Susan Golding. 
Jalalabad, Afghanistan
On Monday, June 28, 2004 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Jalalabad, Afghanistan was officially formed under Mayor Pete Wilson. 
Panama City, Panama
On Wednesday, July 15, 2015 the Sister City relationship between San Diego and Panama City, Panama was officially formed under Mayor Kevin Faulconer. 
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sister city relationship?
A sister city relationship is a long-term, cooperative relationship between two cities in different countries through which cultural, educational, business, and technical exchanges take place. It is formalized when two mayors (or highest elected/appointed officials) sign a memorandum of understanding establishing a sister city relationship. Activities are usually organized and implemented by volunteers, local institutions, and municipal employees. A city may have any number of sister cities.
What do sister cities do?
Sister city organizations plan and implement cooperative activities and exchanges in cultural, educational, municipal/technical, business, and humanitarian fields. Thousands of inbound and outbound exchanges take place every year, as well as virtual exchanges and other remote, cooperative activities.
What is SanDISCA?
San Diego’s first Sister City Agreement was signed in 1957. In 1993, SanDISCA was founded as the umbrella organization for all 16 Sister City Societies of San Diego. SanDISCA works to promote the effectiveness of San Diego’s sister cities program.
Each individual sister society has its own membership, pursues its own mission and conducts its own cultural and educational programs. SanDISCA and the 15 Sister City Societies of San Diego invite and welcome new members to join!
What does SanDISCA do?
SanDISCA's mission as the umbrella organization is to increase the visibility, effectiveness, efficiency and viability of the City of San Diego's Sister City Societies and to guide the development of proposed Sister City relationships, thereby supporting their missions in the areas of cultural, educational, and economic relationships. To promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation - one individual, one community at a time.
How do two cities become sister cities?
A relationship is formally created when the mayors or highest elected officials from two communities sign a memorandum of understanding establishing the sister city partnership. However, this is usually the result of a long process that involves the local sister city organization along with the municipality and other local institutions. Sister city relationships may develop from a number of sources, including but not limited to: preexisting mayoral relationships, trade relationships, historical connections, ancestral/demographic connections, expatriate communities, shared geographic/sector challenges, faith-based groups, and personal experiences ranging from study/work abroad to marriages.
How can I find out what my sister cities are?
Visit our online directory at www.sandisca.org/sister-cities The online directory includes sister city relationships, contact information, and website/Facebook information for all current societies.
