The city of Columbus formed its first sister city with Genoa, Italy in 1955 and over the years has added Dresden, Germany, Hefei, China, Herzliya, Israel, Odense, Denmark, Seville, Spain and Tainan, Taiwan. In 1996, Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) organization to execute its mission of encouraging economic development, educational enhancement and cultural exchange by establishing and fostering relationships between Columbus and each of its sister cities. CSCI is a member of Washington D.C.-based Sister Cities International, a parent organization that advises official sister city relationships for over 800 cities across the United States and abroad.
CSCI is presently staffed by an executive director and governed by a board of trustees with Mayor Michael B. Coleman as the Honorary Chair. CSCI works closely with the City of Columbus Department of Development, Office of the Mayor of Columbus, and other greater Columbus metropolitan area businesses and institutions in executing its programs and community initiatives.
The primary goals of Columbus Sister Cities International:
Expose the greater Columbus community to other cultures in an authentic form.
Facilitate introductions between leaders of businesses in Columbus and their counterparts in our sister cities.
Familiarize Columbus government and business about the economic opportunities in our sister cities and visa versa.
Encourage wider community participation in and understanding of world cultures.
Share the greater Columbus culture, science and technology, business and education successes with our current and future sister cities.
Provide access to government, business, education and arts contacts for organizations and individuals in greater Columbus and its sister cities.
Acquaint Columbus and sister cities businesses, agencies and educational institutions with counterparts to share and exchange ideas and participate in cooperative activities.
Expand awareness of CSCI’s global connection with people in other parts of the world.
Promote interests in other countries by using CSCI as a way to open the door for international cooperation and participation.
