Bellingham has seven sister cities, active and thriving thanks to the leadership and dedication of the Bellingham Sister Cities Association (BSCA), an independent, community-based non-profit organization separate from City government.
Sister-city relationships are long-term partnerships through which communities in different countries build international understanding and exchange visitors, knowledge, ideas, culture and experiences. See the Sister Cities International website for the history of this movement.
Through the work of volunteers and in partnership with donors, schools, cultural and educational institutions, businesses and other community organizations, the Bellingham Sister City Association maintains Bellingham’s sister-city relationships and creates opportunities for cultural exchange, international friendship and diplomacy by community members.
The enduring strength of Bellingham’s sister-city relationships comes from this group’s sustained commitment and the many people and organizations that support its work.
| Sister City | Year Established |
|---|---|
| Tateyama, Japan | 1958 |
| Port Stephens, Australia | 1982 |
| Nakhodka, Russia | 1989 |
| Punta Arenas, Chile | 1996 |
| Cheongju, South Korea | 2005 |
| Vaasa, Finland | 2009 |
| Tsetserleg, Mongolia | 2011 |
Learn more
Bellingham Sister Cities Association
The Bellingham Sister City Association leads our community’s sister-city work and tends to their ongoing success. Its work carries forward the sister-city movement’s longstanding purpose of building peace and mutual understanding through direct relationships between people and communities across the globe.
Independent and separate from City government, the Bellingham Sister City Association is an active group with regular activities associated with each sister-city location and opportunities for local and international connections. Learn more and get involved by visiting their website.
Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International was created in 1956 at the request of President Eisenhower, giving national focus to affiliations between cities in the United States and in other countries. The goal of the program is to promote deeper cultural understanding, international visitation, and hospitality that leads to long-lasting relationships.
