The Sister City Program began in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower initiated the People-to-People Program.

Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between the United States and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal and city level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development.  SCI leads the movement for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials, educators, and business leaders to conduct long term programs of mutual benefit.