International Relations Committee

The International Relations Committee publishes a quarterly newsletter. If you would like to be added to the email distribution list, please email Michon at mrogers@rochestermn.gov.

The International Relations Committee advances Rochester as a global city and promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation through citizen diplomacy – one individual, one community at a time – for the benefit of Rochester and its Sister and Project cities. In Rochester, our International Relations Committee:

• Coordinates the Sister and Project Cities program.
• Supports international affairs and information in the City.
• Provides a welcoming and supportive climate for international residents.
• Supports and encourages internal consciousness in the community.

• Climate Smart Municipalities
• Sister Cities International

Sister and Project Cities are national initiatives to foster economic, cultural, and technical exchanges between US cities, counties, and states and their corresponding communities worldwide. Sister Cities promote peace through people-to-people relationships. Project cities are partnerships with other cities to foster growth towards a specific goal. Rochester, Minnesota, has five Sister Cities and two Project Cities:

Sister Cities:

• Tboung Khmum Province, Cambodia (in progress)
• Xianyang, China
• Moosburg Germany
• Siheung City, South Korea
• Kathmandu, Nepal (inactive)

Project Cities:

• Muenster, Germany (Energy)
• Akita, Japan (Peace)

The Office of the Mayor is seeking volunteers to be part of Friendship Committees for each of our Sister Cities to help re-invigorate our relationships with each city, work on joint projects, and coordinate future endeavors to link our communities in new and creative ways. We are seeking both international residents residing in Rochester and Rochester residents with a particular interest in learning more about one of these cities/countries. The Friendship Committees will meet monthly and meetings will be scheduled based on member’s availability.

• Muenster and Moosburg, Germany Friendship Committee
• Akita, Japan Friendship Committee
• Xianyang, China Friendship Committee
• Siheung, South Korea Friendship Committee
• Kathmandu, Nepal Friendship Committee

To express interest in joining one or more Friendship Committee(s), please email the Office of the Mayor with your interest and experience, availability for meetings, as well as the city/cities you are interested in.