The Sister Cities Commission told the Charlottesville City Council on Sept. 2 that it has four international partnerships and is refocusing its grant program to produce projects that bring tangible educational or cultural benefits to Charlottesville.
Commissioner at-large Harry Herring, speaking for the commission, said the city’s oldest relationship dates to 1976 and the commission maintains links with communities in France, Ghana and a friendship relationship with a Guatemalan municipality formed in 2021. “We have 4 sister cities,” Herring said, listing the relationships and noting past delegations and educational exchanges.
The commission described recent local activities that included participation in the Tom Tom Festival, a table at a farmers market, a wreath-laying at Jefferson Founders Day and visits and performances by delegations from partner cities. Herring said the commission is tightening its grants to favor projects that create deliverables for Charlottesville residents rather than travel stipends for commission members.
Herring said one pending grant would fund a teacher from the Ghanaian partner community to develop a children’s book introducing Winneba to Charlottesville schoolchildren. He also said the commission expects to send an 11-person delegation to its Guatemalan partner in October and encouraged council members and residents to participate. “If you want to come aboard, just send me a note, email. I will send you a link,” Herring said, providing his contact and directing residents to the city boards-and-commissions webpage for more information.
Council members asked about the commission’s approach to historical context in the Guatemala exchange and whether the commission would address U.S. involvement in Guatemalan history. Herring responded that the commission plans to include historical context and documentary materials in its public programming and to ask city representatives to craft presentations that explain each sister city’s story to Charlottesville residents.
The report noted the commission’s near-full membership, named several commissioners and the staff liaison, and outlined plans for a 2026 delegation tied to a 20th-anniversary celebration with the French partner. Herring said the commission had shifted outreach to more public-facing activities, including school collaborations, theatrical exchanges and a gospel choir visit that drew large local audiences.
The council did not take formal action on the report; members thanked the commission and encouraged staff and commissioners to continue outreach and educational programming.