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TRIAL 8 エクササイズ
Sister cities bring together communities from different areas and different cultures. Sister-city relationships can help communities learn from each other and solve problems together. Often these partnerships are based on special projects or homestay programs. People share their knowledge in areas like education, government, business or technology. Sister-city relationships also connect citizens who share an interest in other cultures, international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities. And citizen diplomats can help build peace.
Today, 129 Japanese communities have partnerships with almost 1800 communities in other countries. The Tokyo metropolitan government, for example, has 11 sister-city partnerships. One is with Paris, France. Another is with Seoul, South Korea. These two relationships have existed for more than 20 years. The areas they involve include economic development and trade.
In another part of the world, within the past 15 years, many American cities have created partnerships in developing countries. Projects have involved water quality, health care and good government, for example. In Africa, projects might also deal with AIDS and tuberculosis. Sister-city partnerships usually result from local connections. Local governments also become involved and may provide some leadership. But, generally, citizen groups are responsible for organizing and supporting partnerships.