The Miami Beach Sister Cities Program promotes citizen diplomacy, international cultural understanding and trade and commerce by:
- Receiving foreign missions
- Leading missions to partner communities abroad
- Developing local projects that foster interest in world affairs
The creation of Sister Cities International goes back to September 1956 when President Dwight D Eisenhower initiated the U.S. sister city program as a major people-to-people, citizen diplomacy initiative during an historic White House conference on citizen diplomacy.
Today Sister Cities International through a non-profit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between the United States and international communities represents 694 communities in the United States, with 1,992 partnerships and 1,749 international communities in 136 nations around the globe.
The Miami Beach Sister Cities International Program engages the citizens of Miami Beach, Florida and its sister cities around the world in partnerships and exchanges that promote trade, commerce, economic development, cultural awareness and educational opportunities.