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IOSD can help participating states select cities in need of special development partnership and help establish Sister-Cities relationships with communities in high-income countries.
IOSD DirectAid also goes beyond the old Sister-Cities idea and allows "adoption" or "sister relationships" to be established between hospitals, churches, mosques, families, villages, etc. (See below).
A sister city partnership is an opportunity for two countries to exchange business, educational, cultural projects and ideas by developing relationships between cities/communities or states with a focus on increasing international trade and economic development.
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Traditionally, these affiliations have been established on the basis of pre-existing ties, either ethnic, social or cultural. IOSD's vision is to focus on economic, educational and medical needs. International cultural programs can be used to promote trade contacts which otherwise would not have taken place. A sister-city relationship is the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs from both sides to make international trade a vital part of the sister-city experience. The intangible benefits of an affiliation are real and worthwhile. The tangible, pragmatic benefits would be no less. What better expression of respect for each other’s traditions than an ongoing business relationship that benefits both communities? |
As of March 2006, DirectAid manages the IOSD "adoption" programs and support the following type of "Need Entries":
- Adopt a Village
- Adopt a Church or Mosque
- Adopt a Cleric or Missionary
- Adopt a Hospital, Clinic or Medical Facility
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Please visit the following link to browse the DirectAid database for these entries:
Note: For US cities, IOSD endorses Sister Cities International, a program that was initiated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 and now involves 2,649 cities worldwide and cities in all 50 states. At the height of the Cold war, President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for a program of "People to People", using citizen diplomacy exchanges between the citizens of the United States of America and those of other countries as a way to foster understanding and tolerance. His idea was that, "you don't go to war with your friends." The original concept developed and evolved into Sister Cities International, an alliance of U.S. communities linked with 1,455 communities in 128 countries on 6 continents. IOSD relies on other partners to help establish and manage successful partnership with cities in the European Union and in the Gulf area.
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