Irving Sister Cities
Sister Cities International began in 1956 in the wave after World War II as a people-to-people initiative. Proposed by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the organization originated with aid programs assisting war-devastated cities.
Today’s Sister Cities initiative has matured into a flourishing global network. Sister Cities partners engage in exchange and community development programs spanning a host of issues: arts and culture, economic development, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and youth and recreation.
Irving Sister Cities (ISC) is a division of the Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. ISC benefits the entire Irving community–individuals, businesses, schools and universities, and cultural and fraternal organizations. ISC has sister cities in Merton, England; Espoo, Finland; Boulogne-Billancourt, France; Marino, Italy; Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico; and Darkhan, Mongolia.
ISC is building relationships that:
- Enable Irving to develop municipal partnerships between foreign cities with similar interests, concerns, and outlooks.
- Provide opportunities for Irving citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships.
- Stimulate environments through which Irving and its sister communities will creatively learn, work and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional, and technical exchanges and projects.
- Provide a forum to collaborate with organizations in other countries that share similar goals.
- Enhance Irving’s international reputation as the gateway to North Texas.
- Serve as a protocol resource for the city of Irving.
- Attract international businesses, students, and tourists to Irving.
- Provide unparalleled educational opportunities for our children and students of all ages.
The Chamber continues to enhance the global reputation of Irving through its Sister Cities program, activities and relationships.
