Sister cities

According to the Australian Sister Cities Association, the world-wide sister city movement began shortly after World War II, when national sister cities were independently initiated on many different continents. All had the same goal - to help develop enduring networks of communication between cities of the world, to cut across boundaries and reduce the likelihood of polarisation and conflict among nations.

Under a sister city relationship, formal recognition of other communities can bring significant economic, social and cultural benefits.

The aim of Wollongong’s relationships with its sister cities is to develop international relations at a local level for cultural, business, education, sporting and community exchanges and understanding.

Wollongong currently has two sister city relationships and one friendship city:

• Kawasaki city, located in the Kanagawa prefecture in Japan
• Ohrid Macedonia
• Longyan in the Fujian province of China (friendship city)

Wollongong’s relationship with these cities has provided a number of successful opportunities for information and cultural exchange, all of which have proved a benefit to the Wollongong community.

Wollongong City Council’s International Relations Program is part of Council’s current corporate plan. The corporate plan sets the direction of these relationships, outlining the continued maintenance and fostering of our sister city relationships.