Sister Cities of Durham, NC, Inc. (SCD) seeks to promote peace, understanding, and goodwill among all people by maintaining long-term affiliations with communities in other countries to develop mutually beneficial activities, programs and ideas. The purpose of Sister Cities is to establish and encourage greater communication among the people of the world through the exchange of people and ideas; to engage in activities that strengthen and promote education; and to carry out other programs and activities for charitable, religious, artistic, and scientific purposes. By providing a supportive and stimulating environment, SCD has carried out an extensive program of cultural, educational, municipal, business, medical and technical exchanges and projects.
Durham has four Sister Cities, the first of which was Durham, England in 1986. Of those to follow, Kostroma, Russia and Toyoma, Japan both signed agreements in 1989. Finally, in 1991 an agreement was also signed with Arusha, Tanzania. The first Sister City relationship was formed in 1986 with Durham, England, which is situated in northeastern England 250 miles north of London. Kostroma, Russia is located on the Volga River about 200 miles northeast of Moscow and dates back to the mid-12th century. Toyoma, Japan is on the west coast of the island nation where it serves as an international port and home to plentiful medical research and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Durham's most recent sister city, Arusha, lies within the East African nation of Tanzania, which is comprised of 1,221 tribes and just as many tribal dialects, but maintains Swahili as the national language.
Synopsis of SCD AgreementsSCD receives support from the city government, with the Mayor acting as Honorary Chair. A staff person designated at City Hall also serves to support the program, particularly by coordinating the direct involvement of various city departments in exchanges concerning municipal entities, economic development, technology, public safety and numerous other areas. SCD also receives various forms of Direct and Indirect (In-Kind) Support for many of its activities, such as assistance with administrative costs and receptions.
SCD is governed by a broad-based elected Board of Directors. Volunteering their time and energy to this effort, Directors serve three-year terms. Officers are elected from the Board members. The Chairperson of each City Committee also serves on the Board. SCD Board meetings are held monthly and an Annual Meeting of the general membership is held each October. A financial review is conducted each fiscal year ending June 30.
SCD is governed by a broad-based elected Board of Directors. Volunteering their time and energy to this effort, Directors serve three-year terms. Officers (President, VP, Treasurer, and Secretary) are elected from the Board members. The Chairperson of each City Committee also serves on the Board. SCD Board meetings are held monthly and an Annual Meeting of the general membership is held each October.