CONNECTING GLOBALLY. THRIVING LOCALLY.
Jack Alterman, altermanstudio@gmail.com
"In order to be competitive in an increasingly global economy, we must expand our partnerships with cities around the world...Charleston Sister Cities International creates a platform for the strengthening the existing economic, cultural and educational relationships while committing to explore to new ties and creative ways to improve the quality of life for residents."
-John Tecklenburg, Past Chair, Mayor Emeritus of the City of Charleston, 2016-2023
The Charleston Region joined the Sister Cities International movement in 2008 with the creation of the Charleston – Spoleto, Italy Sister City partnership. In 2016, Charleston Sister Cities International signed their second SCI partnership with Panama City, Panama. In 2018, we added Speightstown, Barbados. In 2019, we added Freetown, Sierra Leone and Doha, Qatar. In 2022, we added Fleurs, Normandy, France. Charleston Sister Cities International’s vision for the future is to establish a network of global partnerships on each continent that will enhance the Charleston region while contributing to international goodwill.
Founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, SCI is the national nonprofit volunteer membership organization representing Sister City programs of more than 500 U.S. cities and their 2,000 partners in more than 145 countries worldwide. As the premier organization for non-partisan citizen diplomacy in the United States, SCI leads the national movement for local community development and volunteer action in the global arena.
-
CIVIC & MUNICIPAL
Creates environments through which Charleston and its CSCI partners can creatively learn, work and solve problems together
-
SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCY, & ENVIRONMENTALISM
Encourages and promotes sharing of best practices, collaboration, and exchanges between Charleston and its CSCI global partners.
-
CULTURAL
Facilitates and promotes cultural, historical and culinary exchanges, events and exhibitions between Charleston and its CSCI global partners.
-
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & COMMERCE
Promote business, technology and academic sectors as intersections for trade and development, Facilitate trade missions and business-to-business dialogue between CSCI global partners that further economic based relationships
-
EDUCATIONAL & YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Charleston Sister Cities International’s Youth Forum and Leadership Academy is designed through programs and initiatives to connect Charleston area schools and universities with our CSCI educational institution partners, creating opportunities to experience, explore and understand other cultures.
-
TOURISM & LEISURE
Promotes mutual leisure and business tourism exchanges, events and exhibitions between Charleston and our CSCI partners. Charleston Sister Cities International’s Tourism & Leisure Exchange program is designed to collaboratively promote the Charleston Area through collaborative aquatic, culinary, cultural, historical, sports and wildlife to our global partners.
-
FAITH & HUMANITARIAN
Helps facilitate faith-based initiatives and exchanges between Charleston faith leaders and our CSCI global partners. Facilitates mutual opportunities for shared humanitarian initiatives and best practices in areas of crisis and disaster response
-
MEDICAL
Stimulates collaboration, initiatives and exchanges between Charleston area medical personnel and institutions and our CSCI global partners to share best practices and innovative procedures.
-
SPORTS & ATHLETICS
Encourages and promotes student athletic and professional sport exchanges, exhibitions and events between Charleston and our CSCI global partners.
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
"With its vibrant culture, rich history, exquisitely preserved architecture, idyllic coastal location, celebrated dining scene and friendly locals, Charleston, South Carolina is one of America's best loved travel destinations."
- Charleston Visitor's Bureau, 2017
Established in 1670 by a group of enterprising colonists, Charleston has become synonymous with hospitality and graciousness worldwide.
Beautiful beaches, magnificent historic plantations, nationally-celebrated museums and international festivals, world-class golf courses, and award-winning chefs continue to draw and delight visitors to the Charleston area. Combining one of the busiest container ports in the Southeast with a modern international airport, established military presence, a world-class medical center, and an impressive base of national and international manufacturers has resulted in a diverse and thriving economy.
