Saarpfalz-Kreis, Germany, the County of Essex, England, and Yangju City, South Korea, are separated by thousands of miles. But these international destinations have something in common: Each has a Sister City Agreement with the County of Henrico.
Communities establish Sister City programs to promote economic development and international goodwill as well as the exchange of ideas and information. The programs also foster and encourage educational, scientific, trade and cultural activities and exchanges.
Sister City programs give people the chance to experience and explore different cultures. And they help to build awareness and understanding between communities and countries. The concept was developed in the 1950s during the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who, as the former Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, well understood the importance of trying to foster international cooperation to maintain peace.
Since then, Sister Cities have been involved in mutually beneficial educational, cultural and economic opportunities. The agreements between Sister Cities have created innovative programs that foster communication and tackle global issues.
Henrico County has had a Sister City partnership with Saarpfalz-Kreis, Germany, since 1997. Besides building goodwill (and mutually promising business relationships), the partnership brings other benefits, such as a German-immersion program at Springfield Park Elementary School and an ongoing student foreign-exchange program at Douglas Freeman High School.
“We have students visit us from Germany, and we have some students going there for a few weeks,” says Fred Morton IV, Superin-tendent of Henrico County Schools. “It’s a great learning opportunity.”
More recent Sister City agreements have been signed with the County of Essex in England, and with Yangju City in South Korea. Delegations from Yangju City visited Henrico in March and November 2007. In May 2008, a delegation from Henrico visited Yangju City.
The county’s delegation visited major Korean companies as well as schools, and they talked with Yangju City officials about business opportunities in Henrico. The exchange of ideas and information has proved helpful on both sides of the Pacific.
Superintendent Morton noted the boundless potential of such global connections. “We saw wonderful things,” said Morton, who was part of Henrico’s delegation. “We may do teacher exchanges where people come here for a year, and we may get students involved through technology. We will have joint efforts in economic, educational, technological and cultural exchanges.”
